The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

Randy Pausch was a gifted educator -- raised by parents who assisted him in believing that dreams are possible, he proceeds through life, continually checking off those dreams as they are attained. At 39,he marries and has 3 kids, while teaching computer science at Carnegie Mellon. He appears to have loved this position, and the opportunities it afforded him to "help" students achieve their dreams and believe in themselves. Diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in 2007, he faces the next months with courage and wit -attacking the disease with all that he has. This memoir was poignant because of Amy and Arlene, and my friend Lynne who battled the same disease for less than a year. Randy wrote this book in conjunction with his "Last Lecture" at Carnegie Mellon, saying good-bye to over 400 people crowded into the small auditorium. He emphasized then that he did it to leave a legacy with his small kids of who he was and that he loved life; he wanted them to know him, but he also wanted to make sure they knew that he loved them. Many themes come through, but the most consistent is his encouragement to stay positive and enjoy the time that is given. He doesn't mention faith or heaven, and it makes me wonder that such a courageous, loving, and positive man could remain so in his situation without faith. The Last Lecture was given in April 2008. Randy Pausch died in August 2008.