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I chose this part of the story because it reveals a lot about Eddie’s true character and the kind of person he is deep down. Even though he didn’t know the little girl very well and had only spoken to her once, he didn’t hesitate to risk his own life to try to save her. This moment shows that Eddie is not only brave, but also extremely caring and selfless. He put someone else’s safety above his own, which takes a great deal of courage and compassion. It’s clear that he values the lives of others and is willing to make sacrifices for people, even if they are practically strangers to him. This part of the story highlights one of the most powerful and admirable sides of Eddie's personality.

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This part of the story represents how seeing the old boardwalk again brought back a flood of memories for Eddie and made him feel like a child once more. It’s a powerful moment because it shows how certain places and experiences from our past can instantly reconnect us to who we used to be. The description makes it clear that Eddie is not just remembering his childhood but he’s feeling it again. I especially love the line, “But the running boy is inside every man, no matter how old he gets,” because it expresses the idea that growing older doesn’t erase the younger version of ourselves. That childlike spirit, full of curiosity and innocence, still lives inside us, even if life has changed us on the outside. This moment is a reminder that no matter how much time passes or how much we go through, there’s always a part of us that holds on to those early moments in life. It adds more emotion and nostalgia to the story that really makes you reflect on your own childhood.

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I chose this section to show how close Eddie and his mother were and how deep their bond truly was. While Eddie did have a relationship with his brother and shared no connection with his father, nothing quite compared to the strong relationship he had with his mother. Their connection was filled with warmth, comfort, and understanding. She was someone he could truly rely on, someone who made him feel safe and loved without needing to say much at all. Being with her brought him a sense of calm and peace that he didn’t often feel in other areas of his life. In a way, she was always there for him, even when things were difficult. This moment in the story really highlights how important that relationship was to Eddie and how it continued to affect him even in the after life. It shows how the love between a mother and son can stay strong throughout a lifetime.

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This section shows that in this version of heaven, time is no longer important or something people need to worry about. Unlike life on Earth, where time controls so much of what we do, when we wake up, when we work, when we grow older this heaven exists outside of those limits. In heaven, time seems to lose all meaning because the people there are no longer bound by it. They are there for eternity, and with that comes a sense of peace and freedom from the pressures and deadlines of life. I believe this is said not just to explain how heaven works, but also to help Eddie understand what is happening around him. It gently prepares him to let go of the idea of time so he can focus on the deeper lessons and experiences he is yet to learn. It’s as if he’s being told that he doesn’t need to rush or be afraid of what’s coming next. Instead, he can take his time, reflect, and fully understand the meaning behind everything he’s about to see.

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This section of the book talks about how Eddie never got super close to his dad after he backhanded him for "breathing on him." I think this is not only about physically being close to his dad but also emotionally. Earlier in the chapter it talks about how Eddie's father was very neglectful to him as a child and explained that his father was only there to discipline him. Although his father treated him like this, Eddie still wanted his attention but I believe that after that slap Eddie gave up.

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This section shows how Eddie was finally able to stand up to his dad and all of his abuse. Previously his dad had been bothering and yelling at him to get a job after he came back from the war, even though he had gotten shot in the leg. Although this finally shows Eddie standing up for himself, it caused his father to stop speaking to him all together.

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This shows that although Eddie's father wasn't the best, he did have some compassion and care towards others. In the earlier scene, he had come home to see his very drunk friend trying to sexually assault his wife. He went after his friend with a hammer and chased him outside. When they had gotten outside, his friend tumbled and fell into the ocean near by. Although he had done some horrible this to his wife, Eddie's father still cared about his friend and went after him to go and try to save him.

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In this scene Eddie is talking about all of the horrible things his dad did, when Ruby basically explains that he needs to be able to let go of what his father did to him so that he can move on and live peacefully. Holding on to something will only make it hurt longer so if you are able to let it go your life will be more peaceful and you will be at peace with yourself.

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This part of the story represents how men often deal with the effects of war in very different ways. War leaves behind deep scars, not just physically but mentally and emotionally as well, and everyone copes with those scars in their own way. Some men find healing through talking about their experiences, sharing their pain with others who went through similar things, and forming bonds based on mutual understanding. These men might come together as a way of processing what they’ve been through. However, others may prefer to bury their memories, to avoid talking about the war altogether, and to act as if it never happened. For them they try to move on without confronting the pain and pretending everything is fine, even though the weight of what they experienced is still there. This part of the story helps highlight the different ways people try to move forward after going through something as life-changing as war. It shows that healing is something where sometimes the strongest emotions are the ones that are hardest to talk about. For Eddie, it also shows how some of his own emotional distance may have come from these buried experiences and the unspoken pain he carried with him.

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This section shows how important sacrifice is in everyone’s life, and how it plays a powerful role in shaping who we are and the paths we take. Sacrifice often involves giving up something valuable, such as time, comfort, dreams, or even relationships. At the moment, it can feel painful, confusing, or unfair. However, this part of the story reminds us that sacrifice is necessary for growth, for helping others, or for creating a better future. In my eyes, even though making a sacrifice might be difficult in the beginning, it is always worth it in the end. Sacrifices often lead to something greater. This moment in the story helps us see that no sacrifice is ever truly wasted, because even if it’s not immediately recognized, it still carries meaning. It can have a ripple effect, touching lives in ways we may not fully understand at the time.

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This section shows that after the war, Eddie became a very different person, both emotionally and mentally. The experiences he went through during the war deeply affected him, mentally and physically and they changed how he lived his everyday life. He was no longer the same carefree or hopeful person he might have been before the war. Instead, he carried with him the weight of trauma, loss, pain, and memories that most people around him could never fully understand. This change is an important reminder that war affects people in different ways. Some might come back hardened and emotionally distant, while others may return with a greater sense of purpose or a need to heal. This part of the story highlights how invisible the wounds of war can be. They don’t just go away when the fighting stops, but often stay with a person for the rest of their life.

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This part of the story shows the pressure that many young men felt during that time to go and fight in the war. For some, the idea of going to war was tied to a sense of pride, honor, and duty. They may have wanted the experience of serving their country and believed it was the right thing to do, saw it as an opportunity to prove themselves, to protect their loved ones, or to be part of something bigger than themselves. However, for many others, the decision wasn’t so simple. A lot of young men felt overwhelmed by the expectations placed on them by society, their families, or their communities. They may not have wanted to fight, but they feared being judged as cowards or unpatriotic if they refused. That kind of pressure could be incredibly stressful, especially for someone still trying to figure out who they are and what they believe in. This section highlights how war doesn’t just affect those who go, it also affects the emotional and mental state of those who feel forced into it. It reminds us that behind every soldier was a personal struggle, and many went because they felt they had no other choice.

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This part of the story shows that even if you try to ignore something, or pretend it doesn't exist, it doesn't mean it truly goes away. It’s always there, just beneath the surface, waiting to be acknowledged. In Eddie’s case, he felt as though he was invisible, as if no one truly saw him or noticed his presence or efforts. Over time, he started to believe that he didn’t matter, that he was just going through life unnoticed. However, this moment reveals the powerful truth that someone was always watching, always paying attention, even when he didn’t realize it. It proves that our actions, no matter how small or overlooked they may seem, still make an impact. This part of the story is important because it reminds us that people are often more valued and loved than they think. Sometimes, we get so caught up in our own feelings of being ignored or unimportant that we forget others may see us in a completely different light. Eddie might have felt invisible, but in reality, he was being seen and remembered by people who truly cared. It’s a touching message about self-worth and the unseen ways we influence others' lives, even when we don’t realize it ourselves.

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This section shows that love is always around you, even if it doesn’t always appear in the way you expect. Love can exist in many different forms—not just through physical presence, but through memories, feelings, and the lasting impact someone leaves on your life. Even when the person you love is no longer physically with you, whether through distance, death, or time, their love never truly disappears. It stays with you in the lessons they taught, the comfort of their voice in your memory, and the moments you shared that continue to shape who you are. In this story, it becomes clear that love isn’t limited by space or time—it can be felt in silence, in acts of kindness, and in the simple feeling of peace that comes from knowing you were loved deeply. This idea gives a powerful sense of comfort, especially to someone like Eddie, who may have felt alone or forgotten. It reminds us that love is not just about being next to someone physically; it's about connection, meaning, and presence in the heart. This part of the story beautifully illustrates how the people we love never truly leave us, and their love continues to surround and guide us in ways we might not always recognize.

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This part of the story shows how quickly people can judge others without truly knowing who they are or what they’ve been through. The attorney in the story assumed that Eddie was just a sad, lonely man who didn’t have much going for him, someone whose life didn’t seem to matter much. But that couldn’t have been further from the truth. What the attorney didn’t see were the countless small, meaningful ways Eddie made a difference in other people’s lives every single day. He was a quiet hero, someone who worked hard, protected others, and gave more of himself than most people ever realized. This moment highlights how easy it is for people to form opinions based on things like a person’s job, appearance, or attitude without taking the time to understand them. It serves as a reminder that everyone has a deeper side to them, filled with experiences, relationships, sacrifices, and acts of love that may go unnoticed by the outside world. Eddie may not have had fame or wealth, but he had purpose, impact, and a heart full of quiet strength. This part of the story challenges us to think twice before making assumptions about others, and to recognize that every life has value, even if it isn’t immediately obvious.

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This section shows the true impact Eddie had on the lives of others, especially through how much he cared about children. Even though Eddie spent most of his life working at Ruby Pier fixing rides, he didn’t realize that what he did mattered so much more than he ever gave himself credit for. In his mind, his life felt small and routine, like he was just a maintenance man doing the same job every day. He believed his only purpose was to keep the machinery running. But in reality, his quiet dedication and deep sense of responsibility made the park a safe and joyful place for thousands of children and families. He watched over them, protected them, and made sure they could laugh and play without fear. His actions, even the ones that seemed minor or unnoticed, created lasting memories and safe experiences for so many people. This section of the story highlights how someone’s true worth is not always measured by flashy achievements or public praise, but by the everyday kindness, care, and protection they offer others. Eddie’s love for children and his commitment to their safety made him someone who made a difference in countless lives without even realizing it.