Thank You Randy Pausch

"We can't change the cards we're dealt, just how to play the hand."
- Randy Pausch



In his final months, while millions of people world-wide were watching his inspirational last lecture, Randy Pausch was cocooned at home in Virginia with his wife and three young children. "Every time I'm with the kids now, there's this total sense of urgency that I try not to let them pick up on," he said. "I can't say things and reinforce them in four years. My time is now." The computer-science professor from Carnegie Mellon University, honored as one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world, died at home Friday morning at age 47 of pancreatic cancer.

Thank you Randy for your strength, conviction and example. It is a lesson that has inspired millions and one I hope I never forget.

Update on Dying Professor

Last night, ABC ran an hour-long special where Diane Sawer interviewed Randy Pausch, the dying professor I blogged about earlier this week. It was very inspiring to learn more about his story, and hear from his wife and kids about this inspiring, albeit tramautic, situation. If you missed it, go here to check out a story recap and video highlights.

What a Lecture

I blogged about Randy Pausch's last lecture a while back. He's a father of 3. He's a college professor. And he's dying of terminal cancer. While that last sentence seems so bleak to type, you'd never know it from Randy's attitude, perspective and approach to life. He's been sharing his "last lecture" on campus, and the viral video of it has been viewed millions of times on the YouTubes. That officially makes it an "Internet sensation" (forgive me Father for I have typed a cliche.)

Yesterday, he was on the cover of Parade. Check out the cover story and his life lessons, along with video of his last lecture. Amazing.