Sadness. The first line of news I read as I logged onto AOL this morning was the news that professor Randy Pausch died today.
Just a month ago I had read his book,The Last Lecture. The book came about following a lecture he gave at Carnegie Mellon University where Randy taught. That was in September 2007. He looked healthy at the time. Healthier than the average guy.
Many professors have given last lectures. Generally, they are asked to think about their own mortality, and pass on valuable wisdom to their audience. What do we think is so important that we would want to pass it on?
Randy had to seriously think about it as he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer three months earlier. The book is his legacy, which he intended for his children to read, but which has no doubt inspired millions already. He wanted his kids to remember him, to know what was important to him, and to help them achieve their dreams. He knew he wouldn't be around to help them grow up for the next twenty years of their youth. The lecture and book were the answer to how to teach them to cope with life's challenges, to share the important stories that shaped their dad, and to present it all in a non-boring manner.
Randy is anything but boring. On the written page or on video. He talks and writes about playing football, being Captain Kirk, riding in NASA's vomit comet, creating virtual reality, being an imagineer at DisneyLand...much more. There's no "feel sorry for me" attitude in his lecture.
His funny, entertaining, and inspiring lecture, is on YouTube. It's over an hour long... remember it's a lecture, but it is far from boring. There's probably as much visuals to emphasize his words. Watch it when you have the time! You don't have to watch it here, though... you can click on the YouTube logo in the bottom right corner of the window and it will take you to the YouTube location. I read the book first, but what I like about the video are all the pictures and images that he uses to illustrate and punctuate his stories.
If you don't want to hear all the stories he tells, and would rather just hear the final words of wisdom that wrap up the lecture, just fast forward to the last eight or so minutes. I watched the entire lecture... like I said, it's over an hour, so bring your lunch and a drink! It's well worth it. Right up to his last two statements.
You can also read about Randy Pausch here.
He was only 47 years old, and leaves behind his wife and three young children.
Most of us will never be asked to stand on a stage, facing an audience of hundreds, and speak on an important matter as what matters most in life. But I don't doubt that any one of us could sit down and write our own personal 'Last Lecture' for our own children and grandchildren. After you watch this, you'll want to write yours!
Sometimes I think that's what the journal will be for me. Amidst all the words, somewhere in here (and amongst my paper journals) are a few pieces of really important stuff. Granted, someone would have to wade through some murky areas, or the trivial entries, but I'm certain that from time to time, I let the reader inside my heart and mind.
Randy lived a full, exciting life of learning and relating to others. Proof that you don't have to live a long life to live a full life.
14 comments:
How very sad. Such a young man. My thoughts are with his family.
Bea, we have the book, but neither of us has read it yet. I've heard that it's very inspiring.
Beth
dear Bea,
What a wonderful contribution!
Thank you so much for telling us about it!
love,natalie
That book was a real eye opener to me , too
I guess what I want my kids to know is that they were always a joy to me
not a responsibility
not a burden
not an obligation
a treasure
every breath they take
Love
Marti
I've seen the video, heard the lecture, but I haven't read the book. I think that I will. As I watched him, I wondered if I would have the same resolute courage and beauty of spirit if I were facing my imminent death. When I saw that he died today, I cried. I think that I was crying for myself as much as I cried for him. His living so publicly with his own impending death reminded me of my own mortality. I pray for grace to accept death when he comes to call on me.--Sheria
Thanks for sharing. We are looking forward to reading the book :o)
This is a great entry ...
hugs
Sherry
Bea,
Thanks for this post. I will spend some more time with it.
David
I do believe I learned about Randy's existance from you, Bea. I think you linked to his Youtube lecture a couple months ago. I watched the whole thing, and it left me in awe of this very amazing man. Facing your own mortality (which I have done, when diagnosed with Cancer in 1996) is not easy. I did have hope, whereas Randy had none. Amazing, amazing man. What a legacy he has left behind for his family, friends, and others, like you and me, who might gain something from what he spoke of in his "last lecture."
I was saddened to hear of his death..
Hugs
Jackie
We were saddened & stunned, too....though I don't know why. We'd been following Randy for a long time. We've read his book, watched his lecture, followed news of him & his blog. I guess we're just stunned because he seemed to go downhill at the end so very quickly. And I think we all hope against hope when someone we know is dealing with cancer, like Randy & Kim. Somehow...no matter what...we still want them to be "the one" to make it.
I'm praying for his family. His relationship with his wife & kids was so close & touching.
Randy made a difference in the world, and I know he'll be missed by many others, as well.
sher (wunzuponatime)
Being from Pittsburgh, Randy was a semi-celebrity around here, albeit an inspirational one, for quite some time before the last lecture. I haven't read the book yet but my oldest daughter has it. I know I could use a huge dose of Randy's attitude toward living life to the fullest. Have yourself a good weekend! Chris
I too was upset to hear the news that Randy Pausch died. I remember when I saw him on Oprah not that long ago............sad.
I love your writings and surely will be back. I see that you and I have a few things in common. I appreciate you stopping by my Journal and leaving Comments today!
Hugs, Rose
This might sound like a really trite thing to say when someone who you love/admire passes away but the quality of a person's life just can't be always measured in years. It is sad for Randy's family to have to be without him but what memories he must have left. Difficult to reconcile.
God Bless+
mairie
http://journals.aol.co.uk/mairiegelling/word-in-the-hand/
Yes, I hated to read that he'd died. I had a very good friend die this past week as well. Like you, I hope that in some of my writings -- my paper writings mostly, there will be a few snippets of me that my kids will treasure having and that will be worth keeping.
Lori
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