Dead At 47?
Seeing the news headline brought me up short. “Computer-Science Professor Dead at 47”. Here was a man who recognized that for all his life had been, it was not in his control. The cancer that raged through Randy Pausch had a timeline on it. Knowing that his life would soon be over, he delivered his “The Last Lecture”. It was so popular that it still exists on YouTube ( target=”_blank”>”Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams”) It is over an hour long, so be prepared for lots of listening.
What he emphasized in The Last Lecture was some simple guidance to help people live more valuable lives, and reach for their childhood dreams. This was based on lessons he said he learned throughout his life. Rausch felt that people should seek meaningful interactions with other people. He talked about how we should treat people – with compassion and respect. You may not agree with everything he has to say, but listen closely for those “wow” moments.
Made me do some more thinking about blessings. Amazing that a God who is in control of everything should let something like cancer end that life, while others live on. More amazing is how He has allowed me to live more years than many people imagined 20+ years ago.
That was when my doctor noticed an anomaly – my heart was throwing in extra beats. So…off to the cardiologist who could not figure it out either, but an angiogram would show the problem. BTW, this “problem” had never bothered me, but to this day, bothers the cardiologist. What he found was a 60% blockage in the left artery, but he was amazed that it did not bother me.
Even when taking those “killer” treadmill tests in his office, the only thing that really makes me stop is the pain in my ankles, calves and hips! He throws up his hands and says, “well call me if anything changes”.
I tell the doc “Will do”, and leave whispering a prayer of “thanks God for another day.”
Don’t forget to thank God for today – every day.