"The Last Lecture"

"Randy Pausch, the Carnegie Mellon professor who became a YouTube phenomenon with his "Last Lecture," died Friday of complications from pancreatic cancer. He was 47. He died at his home in southern Virginia." (USA News)


Another book I enjoyed reading this summer was "The Last Lecture", written by Randy Pausch, a Carnegie-Melon Professor, who put together a lecture for his students*. It hit the internet, and he put it in a book, that became a best seller, you may have heard about him and the book. He was interviewed by Diane Sawyer on TV Primetime.

I gave the book to our Grandson as a H S Graduation gift, along with the cash, that he really wanted. He must have heard of the professor, because he seemed excited about the book and thanked me for it. I hope that he takes time this summer to read it. Randy had been dealing with pancreatic cancer, a cancer that most people do not survive. He passed away last Friday, and lived 6 months longer than the doctors thought he would. I'm sure it was due to his will and attitude, which flows from his writing.

Professor Pausch said if he could leave his students just one direction in life it would be:
to tell the truth, and if he could leave two things, it would be: tell the truth - all the time!

Another important thing he stressed to his students and his readers is this:

"You can't change the cards you are dealt with, just the way you play them".
Isn't that the truth!

*While he gave this lecture at his school, he said that it was really written for his children, to leave them some guidance, since he would not be there.

Randy Pausch left 3 young children and a wife. Let's continue our fight against cancer!