That's Fit

I'm literally a sobbing crying mess as I write this. I fell in love with a dying man a few weeks ago when I caught wind of him giving an amazing gift to his students, colleagues, friends and family at Carnegie Mellon University. Randy Pausch, a computer science professor gave his Last Lecture now famous on YouTube, on September 18, 2007. Randy's lecture was called "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams." Now, I have my own spectacular husband, but I imagine anyone who knows, or knows of Randy . . . would love him very much.

For a man whose pancreas is being destroyed by a cancer that could take his life within months . . . he was hysterical, energetic, inspirational, and relentless about the idea that life can be wonderful every day, and that his days still are. He told stories of his childhood and made one of the most insightful statements I've ever heard. "Are you a Tigger or an Eeyore? Choose!"

I'm a "look at the bright side" kind of girl too, but I don't think it would be possible to put a more eloquent and energizing spin on life than Randy Pausch. I don't think it would be possible for someone to have as great an impact than he did that day, in his particular situation. If you're not familiar with Winnie the Pooh's best friends, Eeyore is always down in the dumps and full of self-pity. Tigger is full of energy and basks in the loveliness of life. They are that way by choice. It's their outlook. Randy is definitely a Tigger.

ABC's Primetime with Diane Sawyer is doing a special on Randy, his inspirational lecture, book, family and life. I'm watching footage of him and his beautiful wife and three young children. It's unbearable to accept that this man won't be able to see his children grow up, or grow old with his wife. I'm a red-faced dribbling mess as I watch. But even with his cancer battle almost lost, this man and his wife are relentless in their pursuit of fun and joy. I suppose if I were to follow Mr. Pausch's advice I'd be smiling now too. Right now, I can't.

But I promise you that because of him, I will no longer harp on irrelevant incidentals. I am a Tigger. But I will cut my Eeyore days down even more when I think of the Pausch family. Life is too short, and tomorrow is certainly not guaranteed. I'd like you all to visit both TheLastLecture.Com which features Randy's book, The Last Lecture. I'd also love you to view his lecture here. It's life-changing.