In 2007, a Carnegie Mellon distinguished professor who taught about human-computer interaction, Randy Pausch, gave what colleagues dub as The Last Lecture. In this case however, a common speech given by professors was turned into a national bestselling book, because the title had a little more truth to it. The title reflected the last lecture this professor would formally give, due to the fact that he was dying of cancer while he wrote it.

Randy Pausch was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was preparing the world and his three children and wife for his upcoming departure. He discussed in his book what he felt the meaning of life was, advice he had for the rest of us about living life and pursuing dreams, and even shared memories you could tell were very dear to his heart. He knew his death was coming, and he impressively tried to share all of the knowledge he could as well as spend as much time with his beloved family as he could leading up to his end.

At the end of his book, he talked mostly about his wife and three children. When he was diagnosed, he had three children all under the age of 7. He shared that he was worried his children might not remember him because they were still so little-- something I think all parents worry about in the back of their minds. He said before his time was up he was concentrating on making important life long remembering memories with his children to try and keep his place present in their minds even well after his death. He wasn't worried about his oldest child remembering him, as they took various photographs of an important vacation his child remembered daily-- where they got up close and personal with a dolphin. But he expressed worry about his younger two children not remembering him. He wrote about his feelings towards his children in his published book and tried to take as many photos, and write down as many things as he could to leave them with these mementos. He did as much as he could to preserve his legacy for his children, wife, family, community, and world in the little time he had left-- while also getting treatments.

Sadly on July 25, 2008, he passed away.

It got me thinking, had Reflekta been around in those final months for him in 2008, could he have spent more time with his family, while letting Reflekta help preserve his legacy? He could have uploaded photographs and mementos and added his voice into Reflekta's secured encrypted database to where his family could have turned to that upon his death. That could have eased with the transition and his children to this day could still hear their late father's voice. I know Randy mentioned they took tons of photos and with the publication of his last lecture book, his family will always have that as a living tribute he left them with. But, I hope they had video tapes and recordings of him. His lecture was posted on You Tube and became viral instantly.

That is so special for a family to have after a death- videos, voice recordings, and photographs. It's so important to remain connected to late loved ones and it helps with coping after a death as well.

Randy Pausch inspired millions around the world with his famous book, 'The Last Lecture.' If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend it. He showed us the importance of living life to the fullest, following our dreams, and the importance of what we leave behind to our loved ones.