Thank You Dr. Randy Pausch

Randy Pausch, Oct 23, 1960 – Jul 25, 2008

"Cancer didn't change me at all. I know lots of people talk about the life revelation. I didn't have that. I always thought every day was a gift, but now I am looking for where to send the thank you note."

Dr. Randy Pausch’s message gave my family a perspective from which to begin solidifying our own dreams and goals. We were inspired to record our dreams, list our short and long term goals and to even start a "bucket list" that we have begun working on fulfilling, right away (because, well, why wait?).

Today I feel that is I who overwhelmingly needs to "send a thank you note" to Dr. Pausch. In just one year, he has had an amazing impact on our lives. If I could, I would say thank you for reminding us that we can and should dream big, that we can always work for what we want, that good things will come our way if we remember to live our lives the right way and, especially, thank you for showing us that true grace, happiness and bravery is within us all.

People like Dr. Pausch appear to be rare, yet he taught us that we are all just like him. And he made us believe it. In a world full of all sorts of people wanting to cram their advice and opinions down our throats – Dr. Pausch's enduring gift to us really was, simply, faith in ourselves.

Goodspeed, Dr. Pausch. And Thank You.

An Enduring Legacy (CMU)