<p>As Randy said, we have to play the hand we are dealt. He played his hand with remarkable grace, honesty, integrity.....not knowing exactly what hand I've been dealt, I only hope I can do it with half of what he did.</p>
<p>That was truly something. It made me tear up.</p>
<p>NSM-
While I think you are saying that you are celebrating Randy Pausch's life the way he celebrated it, I think it is still reasonable to say that the loss of such a wonderful person, who had such a gift to touch so many people, and who left behind a wonderful wife and 3 small children, is inherently sad. The people who throw away their lives are to be pitied, perhaps. To grieve the loss of a wonderful person should, IMO, not be minimized. It is sad to lose a life, a loved one, at a young age. My deepeset condolences to his family.</p>
<p>jym626, I agree with you, and have also posted that his death is "sad." Where my perspective differs from that of some who've posted is that I don't also personally experience his death as depressing or unfair. Of course, I also understand that his family and friends would be depressed at their loss of a loved one.</p>
<p>A life well lived.</p>
<p>I watched his last on Google/You Tube link last night. The audience laughed throughout the 76-minute talk. He had a positive attitude toward life and his talk gave a lot of inspiration. He cared a lot about his wife and his children. He had a very creative way to address his 3 kids at the end of the talk before leaving them.</p>
<p>RIP Randy Pausch.</p>
<p>I see where ABC TV has announced that they are doing a 1 hour special on Randy Pausch and his last lecture tomorrow (Tuesday) night. If anyone needs more info on the gentlemen, you can get it there.</p>
<p>Looking forward to seeing the celebration of his life tonight.
NSM-
Sometimes I think we struggle with semantics in situations like this. Perhaps a better descriptor is that the loss of such a vibrant life so soon is "tragic". No one said life was fair-- agreed, but to his family, I have to think they feel this tragedy is, for lack of a better word, "unfair". Yes, his short life has brought meaning to many of ours, and his brief journey has been very significant and special, but its brevity still... for lack of a better word... stinks...</p>
<p>"Perhaps a better descriptor is that the loss of such a vibrant life so soon is "tragic"."</p>
<p>I agree with you.</p>
<p>" No one said life was fair-- agreed, but to his family, I have to think they feel this tragedy is, for lack of a better word, "unfair"."</p>
<p>I would imagine that could be the viewpoint of his children since they are so young.</p>
<p>If Pausch's wife shares what appears to have been his perspective on life, I don't think she'd consider his death unfair. She'd grieve, of course, but wouldn't be dwelling on, "Why us? We have been such good people."</p>
<p>I am focusing on this so much because I think that once one lets go of the idea that life should be fair, one is free to find joy and become an inspiration no matter what hand life deals us. Pausch's life was a testimony to this.</p>
<p>RIP Randy Pausch</p>
<p>My father died of a heart attack when I was 6 weeks old, yet his legacy has stayed with me through my mother, his friends and colleagues. I wish the same for his children.</p>
<p>RIP Randy Paush</p>