I finally found a hero worth having

As a child growing up I, like most, had many dreams and, for what I believed to be a whole host of reasons, many of them remain just dreams still today; but perhaps that might change soon. In this day and age of the cult of celebrity there is a lot of talk about the lack of genuine heroes, good heroes, to inspire and lead by example. Today I spent perhaps one of the most emotional, if not most inspiring, hour and a half of my life so far watching Dr. Randy Pausch’s “last lecture”, the inaugural speech in a series called Life Journeys organized by Carnegie Mellon University. For those who have never heard of Randy, and although I have never meet him personally, I believe he is the kind of person that would be ok if I call him Randy, he is an extraordinary educator and human being and, in my mind, one of this generation’s truly great heroes. Randy is dying of cancer, but to watch him and to hear his message it is hard to keep that in mind. The theme of his speech was what it takes to make childhood dreams a reality, either your own or those of others.

Randy poignantly reminded me today that I need never give up on those childhood dreams, and more importantly, Randy reminded me that nothing really stands in my way other than myself. Randy reminded me that the door remains closed forever to those who stop trying to get in. His compelling reminder that the metaphorical “brick wall” was only there to keep out those who truly did not want in was a lesson lost somewhere along the way. He jogged my memory to the importance of having people in my life who supported and encouraged me to live my dream, no matter how improbable or preposterous it might seem. No less important, he reminded me of how vital it is to surround myself with other people who share the passion for making my dream a reality; for nothing really great can ever be achieved alone. But Randy’s speech was not for me, it wasn’t even for the hundreds of people in the audience or the hundreds of thousands who will share in its magic in posterity. Randy’s speech was for his three children. And despite the sadness his passing will bring them, they will never need another hero.

I too am a parent, though my own children are well into early adulthood. Regardless of that I plan to share Randy’s speech with them; in fact, I will be by their side when they listen. I doubt that I will ever be able to achieve what Randy has done, as there are few who ever will. What makes Randy so special is not so much they way he has chosen to face death, but the way he has lived his life and achieved his dreams and the powerful force he has been in helping so many others reach theirs; that is what makes him a hero in my eyes. Don’t get me wrong, I am not in any way thinking regretfully or disparagingly of my parental skills, though there is probably ample room for doubt; in reality I am excited that I have finally found a hero worthy to share with my children. And should that not be one of the most important tasks of a parent? I think so.