My Last Lecture?

I first saw Randy Pausch talking about his "last lecture"on Oprah in October 2007. He was such an eloquent speaker, and had such a wonderful message to share. A life changing message! An "ugly cry" message, but one that really makes you think about the tough stuff. If you haven't heard of him or about him, you need to! He was a professor at Carnegie Mellon University who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given less than 6 months to live. On September 18, 2007, he delivered his famous speech about the lessons he had learned and about what was really important in life. He had the best attitude and sense of humor- a very inspiring guy with the kind of advice that I just wish I could tattoo on my brain and remember and LIVE every day! He passed away last Friday, but is survived by his wife and 3 kids...and his lecture, which I am sure has touched and changed countless lives.

I get really sentimental when I hear about stories like this. I guess it comes with being a parent. Death doesn't really scare me- I know that Jesus is my Savior and I will be fine- more than fine, but you know what I mean (Steve, too)...but it is so sad to think about children growing up without a parent. Or losing a spouse. Or both!

It's funny because I was originally going to do a post about something I read in "Bringing Up Boys", by James Dobson- which I recently picked up again (I never made it through the last time). It's also about what's "important". He was talking about how crazy our lives have become and he says:

When was the last time you had friends drop by unexpectedly for a visit? For many of us it's been entirely too long. There was a time when families made a regular habit of packing into the car and driving over to a friend's home for an afternoon of good conversation and a piece of banana cream pie. It was one of life's simple pleasures. I'll never forget the times as a boy when I would hear a knock on the door and scurry to see who was there. The screen would crack open a few inches and a familiar voice would echo through the house, "Is anybody home?" Mom would rush to put on a pot of coffee and for the rest of the afternoon we'd sit and talk with our friends - about nothing and about everything. ...Sadly, that kind of spontaneous camaraderie is difficult to achieve in today's fast-paced world... Thus, we go about our days, careening through life, glancing at our watches, and wondering why we don't have very many close friendships.

This is exactly how I feel, and I have even mentioned to several people how I mourn the loss of those days! I remember as a child, we lived near some very busy streets in the middle of Houston (Dairy Ashford between Westheimer and Memorial). I remember people that my parents' hadn't seen in years dropping by unannounced. It was fun! My dad would often do the same thing to others. As a kid, I thought it was exciting to see the surprise on peoples' faces when we'd ring their doorbell. The adults would sit and visit, and be amazed at "how much the kids had grown"... We didn't care if the house was a mess (although, as an adult, I see where they might have). We were "in the neighborhood" and what was important was the friendship and seeing their faces again. If they had plans, they could say so- but they never did. Even today, with my own busy schedule and CDO (OCD...but with the letters in alphabetical order like they should be!- thanks for that joke, dad!),- I would be THRILLED to see an old friend knock at my door unexpectedly! As a senior in high school, I was friends with twins who hosted a "come as you are" breakfast in honor of graduation. They literally came into my room and pulled me, and everyone else, out of bed in our jammies and took us to their house for breakfast. What a great memory! I feel like I need to do that to some people if I ever want to see them!

My parents and our neighbors were also really close. My mom and the neighbor lady would mow their yards together, and then sit on their folding chairs and talk while the kids played. They even used the same company to put in in-ground swimming pools at the same time. I'm lucky if I see some of my neighbors on their way to the mailbox. And some "friends" are so busy, that you have to schedule a time to get together with them about 2 months in advance. It's ridiculous! Even trying to arrange "play-dates" for the kids is impossible.

I know...I am old and rambling on about the "good old days." But life DID used to be much simpler...didn't it? I think it's sad that we've become too busy for each other! My schedule is crazy, too...but I can always make time for friends. Besides God, family and friends are what matters in this life. I wish more people would slow down, remember that, and do something about it!