Steve Jobs - Genius Extraordinaire

Steve Jobs
February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011

         As I was sitting at work yesterday, I received a phone call from my dear husband, Joel, informing me that one of the greatest minds of our time has passed on from this life.  Joel and I were so saddened to hear this distressing news. After a 7 year battle with pancreatic cancer, it finally overtook his body.  Pancreatic cancer has VERY small survival rate. As of 2009, the American Cancer Society stated that the 1-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is only 24%, and the overall 5-year survival is 5%. Steve bested the odds with 7.

         For those of you who don't know his name, I'm sure you know of his legacy. He has touched the lives of millions of individuals and families with his genius.  He is best known as the founder of Apple Inc.  He was also the co-founder of Pixar.  With Pixar alone, he brought to our homes Toy Story; A Bug's Life; Toy Story 2; Monsters, Inc.; Finding Nemo; The Incredibles; Cars; Ratatouille, WALL-E; Up; Toy Story 3; and Cars 2. So much joy was and is still brought into millions of lives because of this man. Films that shaped our generation.

         He is also the man that brought you, most famously, the iPod, iPhone, and iPad - among many others. These instruments have revolutionized the world. Everyone has been affected by this man's imagination.  Every corner of the entertainment industry has benefited from his inventions - music is readily accessible at the click of a button or touch of a screen, films are created and viewed, games played, pictures taken and edited, and phone calls and video chats made to loved ones. Think of how many thousands of people have had their dreams fulfilled because of the opportunities provided by this man. 

These are some of the things that have been said of him since his passing:

Walt Disney's CEO, Bob Iger -
"Steve Jobs was a great friend as well as a trusted adviser. His legacy will extend far beyond the products he created or the businesses he built. It will be the millions of people he inspired, the lives he changed, and the culture he defined. Steve was such an "original," with a thoroughly creative, imaginative mind that defined an era. Despite all he accomplished, it feels like he was just getting started. With his passing the world has lost a rare original, Disney has lost a member of our family, and I have lost a great friend."

Steven Spielberg - 

"Steve Jobs was the greatest inventor since Thomas Edison. He put the world at our fingertips."

Mark Zuckerberg - 

"Steve, thank you for being a mentor and a friend. Thanks for showing that what you build can change the world."

Apple Inc. -

"We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today. Steve's brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives.  The world is immeasurably better because of Steve. His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family.  Our hearts go out to them and all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts."

       He was an inspiration to so many of us - making us feel as though our simple actions can better the world.  These are his words from a graduation commencement soon after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer:

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life...Don't let the noise of others opinions drown out your inner-voice. And, most importantly, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become."

So, let us live our dreams as he did. Life's too short to not love what we do and those around us. Steve lived his dreams in his short 56 years while battling a pain crippling cancer and a liver transplant. If Jobs can do it, so can I. He is the embodiment of the words, "Be the change you want to see in the world".

       I said to Joel last night, "Is it lame that I feel so sad about his passing? I didn't even know him." Joel confidently responded, "Yes you did. We all did. He put his heart and soul into his inventions." I think he is right. We all knew him because we know his products. His spirit will live on through all of us and through his inspired inventions.  Steve Jobs provided us with a better world, and has left his mark with all of us  - it happens to look like this:

 

We miss you already.