A few days ago marked the passing of Randy Pausch, professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon University, from pancreatic cancer. His most remarkable achievement, apart from the legions of students and colleagues whom he inspired, was his Last Lecture, given on September 18, 2007 in front of a full auditorium of students and colleagues- a paean to his work, his family and life in general, so inspiring that it became and still remains a Youtube sensation.
From the Carnegie Mellon website:
"Outside the classroom, he gained public fame for delivering what would come to be known as "The Last Lecture." On Sept. 18, 2007, only a month after doctors told him that he had three-to-six months to live following a recurrence of pancreatic cancer, he presented a lecture called "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" to a packed auditorium at Carnegie Mellon.
The moving and often humorous talk recounted his efforts to achieve such childhood dreams as becoming a professional football player, experiencing zero gravity and developing Disney World attractions. In the process, he shared his insights on finding the good in other people, working hard to overcome obstacles and living generously.
"If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself," Pausch said. "The dreams will come to you."
The final days of his life have a moving day to day chronicle that he maintained until almost the end. The final update regarding his struggle with cancer appears from an anonymous friend posting on his behalf, just as he was moved into hospice for palliative end-of-life care.
And so a life ends, having illuminated for millions of people (over 5 million views of his Last Lecture) that life is all about living your dreams, regardless of its duration.
I watched The Last Lecture in several sittings, 15 or 20 minutes at a time. It is an amazing video. What really touched me while watching it was not so much that I knew Pausch had died or that he himself knew he was dying when he put the lecture together. Rather, I was saddened at the thought of his three children who are too young now to understand death or the content of the lecture, watching the same video when they are older and realizing what an extraordinary man their dad was and how little time they had with him.
Posted by: Ruchira | July 30, 2008 at 09:12 AM
At least they will have had the video, comprehensive as it is, to help them understand their father's legacy. Some don't even have that luxury, for instance, soldiers dying in the line of duty while leaving behind days-old babies and grieving widows.
Posted by: Sujatha | July 30, 2008 at 12:39 PM