Meant to Be (195-239)

Summary
The last section of this book was a victorious one. Walter finally met his half brother, Herbert Dorfman, from his real father. Herbert was shocked when he found out that he had a brother and they met immediately for dinner to discuss the situation. Walter answered all the questions Herbert threw at him and exchange stories from their unfortunate childhood to each other. Walter quickly realized that Herbert's life was parallel to his. They both pursued the same career, sometimes even working side by side without even knowing. Walter's mom was ecstatic when she learned that Walter had found his brother and agreed on planning a dinner where the two families will unite. They did just that and the Dorfmans easily became close to the Andersons. Walter's mother continued to call Herbert after the dinner reminding him that his father Albert would have been very proud that the two brothers met and Walter reunited with Herbert every week for dinner to share and talk for all the years they hadn't. Walter finally knows what it meant to be Jewish and told Herbert that he felt Jewish although he wasn't raise that way.
Unfortunately, the ending of this book was also sad. Walter's mom, at the age of 88, finally passed away. Walter cried like baby when her body surrendered on the life-support system. He cried and his children held him. He also cried at her funeral as his mind filled with memories of his beautiful mother. Eric, his son, gave a speech about his grandmother and ended with, "Imagine at eighty-eight, being able to say 'no regrets.' What a wonderful way to say goodbye. Goodbye, Grandma" (Anderson 239).

Quote
"I have often thought of how a mother has her children within her for nine months. Yes, they are hers alone for a while. Then, though, they are born, and their love is shared. Life is so wonderful. Death must be known by rich and poor alike. We shed a tear when someone we love dies, but the living go on. No regrets. God bless you all" (Anderson 238).

Reaction
Walter's mom wrote this note to her family before she died. I thought it was sad but also beautiful. She knew she was going to die, she was even counting her days, but she also knew she will die knowing everything will be well. She let Walter know several times that she had no regrets and on her note, she let her family and friends know that also. She saw life as a wonderful gift and emphasize the bond a mother has to her children. When she said that, she was mostly referring to her son and her deepest secret, Walter.