Tuesdays with Morrie is based on the real-life relationship with author Mitch Albom and his college professor Morrie Schwartz. Morrie had been one of Mitch's favorite professors in college, and on graduation day, Mitch presented Morrie with a briefcase and a promise to keep in touch. However as time passed, distance and life kept the two from communicating.
One night, as Mitch, now a well-known journalist in Detroit, is watching a Ted Koppel interview on ABC, he sees his old professor as that night's subject. Morrie has been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
Mitch sees that his professor's time was growing short and realized he has not kept up his promise to keep in touch. He travels to his old professor's home and the two re-connect. The conversation is easy, as if no time has passed at all. Mitch promises Morrie he will be back. After another visit, he realizes that he still has much to learn from his old professor. They make a pact that Mitch will visit every Tuesday. Morrie agrees to let Mitch record these "final lessons" as the two discuss life, death and everything in between. The lessons from those Tuesday meetings make up the pages of Tuesdays with Morrie.
