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Questions and Answers
What metaphor is used to compare the writer's life to?
What is the writer's emotional state regarding his situation?
What advice did Tyron Edwards provide that resonates with the writer?
What caused the writer to feel that his life has a deadline?
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How does the writer feel about making daily choices?
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What was Mark Christopher's primary role at Treasury Insurance Company?
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Which of the following best describes the lifestyle of most humans mentioned in the passage?
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What defining moment does Mark Christopher recall from his life?
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What nickname was given to Mark Christopher in the Boston Globe article?
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What technique does Mark use to improve his golf game?
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What does Mark Christopher do for his colleagues during holidays?
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Which quality does Mark associate with being successful?
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How does Mark react to the sound of his children approaching on Father's Day?
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What best describes Mark's attitude towards his work and life?
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What was the weather like when Mark Christopher woke up that morning?
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Study Notes
The Narrator's Mortality
- The narrator, Mark Christopher, is facing his own mortality due to a terminal illness that he doesn’t disclose.
- He refers to the approaching winter, comparing it to his own end.
- He reflects on the fleeting nature of life and his fear of not seeing the next sunrise.
The Narrator's Success
- Mark Christopher is a successful businessman, serving as the youngest resident VP of Treasury Insurance Company.
- He is responsible for 84 branch offices and the sales production of over 700 employees in New England.
- He is also an adjunct assistant professor at Northeastern University, teaching Salesmanship.
The Narrator's Transformation
- The narrator’s seemingly perfect life takes a sudden turn on a Sunday morning.
- This transformation is marked by a profound shift in his perspective and priorities.
- The narrator is no longer fixated on his career and material success, but instead, he finds himself deeply moved by his family.
The Narrator's Family
- The narrator has two sons, Todd and Glenn, aged six and twelve respectively.
- The narrator’s sons present him with Father’s Day cards, a simple gesture that deeply affects him.
- The narrator finds himself reflecting on his sons’ growth, realizing the fleeting nature of their childhood.
- He experiences an emotional breakdown, lamenting the lost time and the inevitable separation from his sons.
The Turning Point
- The narrator’s experience on this particular Father’s Day morning serves as a turning point.
- His newfound understanding of time's fleeting nature prompts a reevaluation of his priorities.
- Although the specific reason for his illness remains undisclosed, the story emphasizes the importance of family and love over material success.
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Description
This quiz explores the profound transformation of Mark Christopher, a successful businessman facing his mortality. As he grapples with a terminal illness, he shifts his focus from career ambitions to the importance of family and the fleeting nature of life. Delve into his reflections on success and what truly matters in the face of death.
