I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book, "The Last Lecture", and I can't wait to read it to my kids. It's short, sweet, and LOADED with some incredible truths about life that I needed reminding of. The author, Randy Pausch, a married father of three little kids and a university professor, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given 3-6 months to live. The way he handled this news, and everything else in his life for that matter, is completely remarkable. You have to read this. I think it's so well written, too, each segment being a short chapter on something specific, so I could easily read a chapter to my kids and I really think they'll love the stories. The book makes you want to dream BIG!We read this for our Book Club meeting this month and discussed it at my house last night and since the book is full of "childhood dreams", we all talked about ours and how to make them happen. I remembered that one of my childhood dreams has always to be in a symphony orchestra!!! I want to be in a long, black dress, playing the violin, getting lost in the music in a sea of other talented musicians. Kinda nerdy, I know, but it's still a dream. The only hang-up is that I don't play the violin...guess I should learn, eh? Or I could pick up my clarinet - they have those in an orchestra! Nah - not as cool as a violin. This guy, Randy, would figure out a way to do it so I guess I could, too. Also, I was going to grow up to be Crystal Gayle - the country singer with hair down to her feet - I always wanted hair down to my feet. I don't think hair that long is pretty now, but that was my dream!
So I know you're reading this and I want to know some of YOUR big childhood dreams - and don't skip out on me.
HERE is the link to the You Tube video of Randy's Lecture.
17 comments:
I heard that this is a really good book. He taught at the University near our house! Very inspirational!
I wanted to go into space and to be president of the United States. I don't know if those two will ever happen....
One that might happen: visit Iowa
Ones that did happen: go to BYU, visit Germany
I think I saw Randy on the Oprah show, if this is the same guy he was great, I need to get the book.
I also thought Crystal Gayle's hair was the most awsome thing when I was really young, I'm like you now it's not so pretty.
As a little girl I wanted to be a Rockette dancer, I can remember doing the line kick all the time, haha ...
Then as I got a little older I thought I'd be so cool to join the Air Force, never did either...I've devoted my time to being a stay at home mom and I wouldn't change that now for anything.
Hi abby,
This is silly now, but when I was little I wanted to be a construction worker because I wanted to build houses. I later learned that was someone else and includes drawing skills, that counted me right out. Thanks for sharing your dreams...that was fun
i wanted to be an opera singer, but my fifth grade choir teacher told me i had a horrible voice. turns out she was a cruel, evil, stupid old woman. figured it out a tad late though, so now i sing in my church choir. i wanted to be a ballerina, but my mom told me we couldn't afford the classes and i wasn't built for it anyway.
If you saw my fingernails today, you wouldn't believe this, but when I was little I always liked having my fingernails painted. I also liked painting fingernails-my childhood dream was to paint fingernails when I grew up. I also thought the coolest job would be to be an "Avon Lady"-then I could go from door to door and ring doorbells. I even remember ringing my Grandma's doorbell over and over to practice-I am sure she loved this!
I've been wanting to read this book, so I'm so glad to hear that you loved it!! I will definitely be adding this one to my Christmas wish list!
My childhood dream was to travel the world. I've always wanted to see other countries and experience their cultures. So far, only Canada is on my list. I also have always wanted to visit all 50 states. These days I feel like I am working more on living in all 50 of them!! :) I guess that is visiting them too though!!
I JUST bought this yesterday from Amazon, after watching the Primetime special I'd DVR'd back in July. He was amazing and inspiring. Using this book for book club is AWESOME! Thanks for the great idea. I always wanted to be a teacher and a mom--done both. The only thing left is the traveling, but that will wait until we're retired (and rich and famous, of course). Thanks for a great post!
I really enjoyed this book too. What an amazing man.
When I was little I wanted to be a teacher and a mom. I've been a preschool teacher and am now a teaching assistant in a resource room. Hoping to become a mom sometime in the next couple years.
I just started reading this book and I'm about half way through...really enjoying it. I always wanted to be the lead in a Broadway musical. Maybe if I could sing...
I read Randy's book when it first came out and loved it. I bought copies for all of my daughter's friends who were graduating from high school this year for a gift as well as copies for my young adult sons and my husband. I have lost count of how many copies I have bought. It is a MUST read for everyone.
I was so inspired by his list of "Life Lessons Learned" that I started my own list and have been adding to it ever since.
One of my childhood dreams was to be a race car driver!
Leigh Anne at www.yourhomebasedmom.com
I don't like to read, but after reading all the comments, I will have to read this one. I have always wanted to be a famous singer. I have also wanted to be a motivational speaker, so that I could solve the worlds problems. I have a hard time knowing what to say to people now days. I had always wanted to be a mom and have lots of children. I love my children, but four is enough, almost to much sometimes.
Being a hairdresser I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to cut off Crystal Gayles hair. That is the most fun to just chop through a long ponytail.
My mom sent my your blog a few months ago and I have been reading and in awe ever since. You are so creative.
I wanted to be Crystal Gayle, too! I thought I was the only one... (It was definitely her hair)
The one dream that did come true was marrying my prince. God gave me such a gift in my wonderful husband! :)
I read it and loved it. Some friends said they saw it on Oprah and ended up not loving the book. I'm glad I didn't see it on Oprah because I LOVED the book. A few tears, but just so much that you end up wanting to rewrite your dreams and what is important. I recommend it to everyone and it's a pretty easy read.
Ouch!! I wasn't really fond of Crystal Gayle, but I *do* have long hair--down to my knees.
Love the book suggestion though, I will definitely have to check it out!
P.S. I'll be making yet ANOTHER batch of mazurka bars for a get together I'm having tomorrow, thanks for the Great recipe... Cheers!
I have also seen him on a tv special. Can't remember which one. His story really got to me so reading the book would be something I would need to prepare for. I'm a big cry baby. I wanted to be a famous singer. I would practice in the bathroom, wearing a strapless "towel" dress when I was 7 or 8 years old. I also wanted to be a "baby doctor". I only wanted to treat the babies in the hospital. And last but not least, I wanted to be a wife and mother and live in a white house with a white picket fence. No picket fence but the best (4) kids and perfect husband for me! Oh and I so wanted to be Crystal Gayle. This is all too funny. Really enjoying your blog.
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