"The Last Lecture"

I am a big fan of audiobooks - I download them from the library and put them on my iPhone and listen constantly. For several years I have known about "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch. Pausch was a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon University who died of pancreatic cancer. The amazing thing was how he faced the cancer at the end and dealt with his impending death. He gave one final lecture at Carnegie Mellon that became the basis for his book.

I had always wanted to read "The Last Lecture" but for some reason had never gotten around to reading it. Last night I came across it as I was browsing for a new book to download. I started listening to it this morning and have just been so moved by his words. I have literally teared up and laughed at some of the anecdotes and advice he offered. Given how moving it is, and the fact that it is relatively short, I am sure that I will be done with it later tonight. I would encourage everyone to get this book and either read it or listen to it in audio form. It is truly remarkable.

I am sure you will not be disappointed if you get it, but part of what makes the book even better for me is that I can relate to much of his story. Having watched my Mom fight and struggle against cancer before succombing with a similar courage, I can imagine and understand what it must have been like. In addition, Pausch was close to my age with small kids. He was born in Baltimore but grew up in Columbia, MD and taught at the University of Virginia while I was an undergrad there (I did not know him). There are things that I can easily relate to which makes it all the better.