I am the messanger

I am currently reading the book I Am the Messenger, by Markus Zusak. It is a story about a 20 year old cabdriver, Ed, who does not really have any hopes, dreams, or goals in life. He has two very happy, successful, siblings, but he has decided that he has no potential; he will live his life, die, and then that will be that-he will never amount to anything. He then starts receives a series of anonymous notes with the addresses of different people written on the back. As he visits each home, he sees the troubles of each family, and fixes them. In the end, he ends up helping many more people than just the ones who were written on the cards. I think the message of this book shows that everyone has the ability to do great things in life, but they need something; words of encouragement, or support. Even receiving the names of people in need, shows you that someone thinks you are capable of changing lives.

Ed grew up in a family were words of love, encouragement, kindness, and support were given. Just not to him. While his sister and brother grew up to be happy, smart, and successful, he became a cabdriver and never left his home town. The fact of matter was he was doomed from the very beginning. Even when he was little, he reminded his mother of his alcoholic father, and so she shunned him, and never let him in. I think that because of this, he turned to his father for support, and so his mother decided her point had been proven.  Ed never though he could amount to anything, all throughout his life, so he saw no reason to try.  I think he never even considered he might be able to do well, so he saw no point. When you read about famous people who rose from horrible families, there is always a story about how the local shopkeeper told the kid he was talented, or the next door neighbor told them they were smart. And that, the magazines say, was the moment when little Johnny decided to become a computer designer! Ed’s problem was that he never got that moment.

He was told he was worthless so many times, he acted like he was, and so nobody even though to tell him otherwise. It ended up becoming a vicious cycle. Ed’s mom decided he was like his father, (even though at the age of three his brain was not fully developed) and treated him like he had no talent or abilities. Then he began to act like he had nothing to prove, and so she decided she was right, and continued to treat him the same way. “You could be as good as any of them…but you’re still here and you’ll still be here in fifty years.” That was what she said when he asked her why she seemed to hate him so much. The funny thing is, the only reason Ed’s father became an alcoholic in the first place was because the he loved the mother, but she was cheating on him. And the only reason Ed wasn't as good as his siblings was because she never offered him any support. I think this shows that you cannot lose hope in a person, and you should never try to decide who or what they are going to be in the future. Children always change, and parents need to see that they are the ones that decide whether it will be for better or worse.

When Ed was sent those cards, somebody was saying that they trusted him, they had faith that he could help change these peoples’ lives for the better. That they knew he had the ability to alter and help those who were in need, and that was all he needed to start trying in life again.  Teachers and parents often say that you need to try your hardest, in school and in life, but kids need to know that if they do try, they will achieve something. They need to know that they are capable. Once you tell somebody they are stupid, or dumb, they will act it, because they will think they are stupid, and they cannot change. Often, it is not because people are too lazy to change, it is because they do believe they had the capacity to change. 

Sorry I was not able to post this yesterday