Goodbye Randy, I hardly knew ya
For those of you who have been following the news or my twiiterfeed, you'll know that Randy Pausch, acclaimed professor from my alma mater, finally succumbed today to the pancreatic cancer that has been haunting him for 7 months. I don't claim to know Randy personally, but I do know the person inside the man. I did happen to meet Randy at an alumni event in Seattle many years ago, and at the time I thought he was as arrogant as he was passionate, much like me and my former Microsoft cronies. However, the amazing person behind that confident shield became more evident when he was diagnosed with cancer.
I know that person. I can relate to that person. I am that person. Much like the events of his life had changed him, the events surrounding Emma's death have changed me. I don't claim to be as flamboyant as Randy, nor as profound, but that's not what I mean. I associate myself with the person who has discovered life for what it really is. A person who cherishes each day like it is their last. A person who places time with their loved ones high above time doing anything else. This is not to brag, but to profess. Randy treated life the way 5 year old treats their first time at Disneyworld. I try to do the same, though I must admit that I'm not always successful at it.
Randy recently gave his "last lecture" at CMU, and then proceeded to write a book about it. I knew his story, but was unaware of his book until someone presented it to me at Emma's memorial service. It was a fitting gift at a time when I needed help coping. I read excerpts from the book each day as Ellen and I drove across the US. The book made me laugh as much as it made me cry because it was able to capture in simple words how I felt about my Em.
I am deeply saddened with the loss of Randy, as it reminds me of the passing of Emma. However, the life lessons I learned from each of them will always cheer me up. Thanks Randy, Thanks Emma. Your gifts will remain with us forever.