I just found the article on Yahoo News that said the Randy Pausch, the man who gave the inspiration and now incredibly famous "Last Lecture" (it was created to get professors to think what they would want to tell their students if they could only give one last lecture before they were to die) to his students (though he had originally done it for his own three kids) after being diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. He survived almost two years after being diagnosed (people usually live only 3 to 6 months).

I remember the first time I saw that video, when it first became such a sensation online. I'm not a big crier. I don't usually show emotion in that form. But by god, I was bawling at the end of it (as were many, many of his students and peers in the faculty that were there to hear it).

He was an incredibly strong man- he had cancer, but was so energetic and enthusiastic, to the point of showing that he wasn't letting the fact that he was going to die very shortly by doing push ups in front of the class. He talked about his dreams, and how no matter what happened, how many times he was rejected, he always tried again so he could acheive those things that he wanted so badly- including getting to go into zero gravity, getting an article published in the World Book Encyclopedia and working for Disney on rides.

His most famous line in the entire speech was this:

"If I don't seem as depressed or morose as I should be, I'm sorry to disappoint."

For someone to know that they will soon not be breathing any more, and to keep their heads help up and try to encourage other people to live life to the max, always keep your dreams and never let disappointments stop your progress... Well, that's just something that moves me.

He was an amazing man, and to me, it's terrible that someone so wonderful, vibrant and full of hope should have to die so young in such a painful way.

Rest in peace, Randy Pausch.

The file is too big to upload onto Ebaums (it's 76 minutes long).  But if you get the chance, watch it.  It's long, but it's amazing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

I can tell you one thing...  I'm going to do what he asks:  "If your children ever want to paint on the walls of their room, as a favor to me...  Let them."  I'll even buy her the paints.