Lessons in Life

My wife (the wife, the mother, the me) turned me on to a story in the past year. A story of Randy Pausch. She told me of this lecture series called “The Last Lecture”. The lecture that you would give if you knew you were going to die. Unfortunately he was indeed giving his last lecture. Dying of cancer, he had only months to live. I have just recently devoted the time to watch his lecture after seeing a particular interview on TV.

While watching the Diane Sawyer interview of him, I found my eyes welling up with tears. Being the “the him” I tried to hide them from my wife…not really knowing why. But definitely knowing why the tears came. I found his attitude in the face of death absolutely amazing. He had totally come to terms with his death and went on to face it with a smile on his face. One particular segment found me silently shaking though. I saw a man holding and playing with his children. Loving his wife. Knowing his time was limited. Knowing he was not going to experience the fullfullment of his childrens dreams that he talks about himself in his Last Lecture. I thought of myself. Not really a Randy Pausch thing to do. But I had to believe that even he in his quiet moments fought the tears of not being able to cherish the future of his family. I had to put myself in that position. All I could think about was not being able to see my children grow into their dreams. I felt so bad for him, even if he would tell you not to. I felt for his children that would not continue to be effected by this man. I thought of a man that would not live long enough to continue the joys of marriage to a woman that he obviously loved. I thought of all those things that I would be missing. It made me very sad.

Finally, in the quiet of this morning I watched his lecture for the first time. I was riveted so, that I took notes on particular points he made.

*Mothers are someone who love you even when they are pulling your hair (this incident happen last night as our oldest pulling the wifes hair at dinner) How did he know?

*Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted

*Critics are the ones that love you when you are doing something bad. when nobody says anything….That is a sad place to be (please continue to help me stay on the path sweetheart)

*Enabling the dreams of others later in life can be fun (lets have fun)

*Brick walls are there for a reason….It shows you how much you want something (life long process of breaking down those walls)

*Wait long enough and people will surprise you (keep waiting)

*Good and bad ways of saying “I don’t know” (I need to find better ways)

*If you lead your life right…the karma will take care of itself (bingo!)

Girls…when picking “that guy” ignore everthing they say and concentrate on what they do (this is the same advice I have for my little girl)

*Be good at something….It makes you valuable.

*Find the best in everybody: No matter how long you have to wait for them to show it.

*Be prepared. “Luck” is where preparation meets opportunity.

Thank you sweetheart for bringing me Randy Pausch. Now I must get back to work.