(Also posted on Nick Sortal's Trialsanderrors)

I thought there would be greater media attention Friday when Randy Pausch died.

For those who haven't followed it, Pausch was a Carnegie Mellon professor who gave a spirited "last lecture," a tradition at his school. It truly was his last lecture. He was dying.

A Wall Street Journal writer was there to see it, and wrote it up. Then came ABC appearances for Pausch, and Oprah and a book at the top of the best-seller list.

During a time when we have too many useless messages going viral in our media, this was an exception. Such thoughts as: "We can't change the cards we're dealt, just the way we play the hand."

I often quote to my children his line: "You have to decide if you're a Tigger or an Eeyore."

So why am I posting this on this blog? Here's what I want you to do: Because it's summer, and presumably children aren't wrapped up in school work and you have time, please sit down with your child and watch a 10-minute Youtube version of his lecture. And watch or tape the ABC special, set for 10 p.m. Tuesday, with your family. Then talk about it.

Also, there's this 78-minute, longer version of his lecture,and a USA Today version of the story, which includes a box of his tips.

> Please comment