The local newspaper has run several letters to the editor focusing on why the commercial is wrong. Its not fair to do that to a kid, even if it is only for a few minutes some people have said.

The commercial in question uses a real life mother and son acting team. The boy, around 4 years old, knows the commercial is make believe and that his mum has only disappeared around the corner. The commercial is realistic but I don’t see any long-term problems for the boy in making it.

One particular letter in the local newspaper focused on the fact we are all going to die one day and we should be left alone to enjoy the pleasures of life until such time as its our time to leave.

This particular letter put many thoughts in my head and spurred me to write this article today.

The question in my head is why so many people look at life only as a precursor to death? As a people, do we really have such a low opinion of our abilities and ourselves.

Yes, we are all going to die some day. There is not much we can do about that. We are, however, not born only so we can die. Death should be the result of a long lived, full life – not forced upon us by actions we know are going to kill us.

Our kids look upon their parents for guidance. If it is all right for Mummy and Daddy to do it, it must be ok for me. We can attempt to live a do as I say, not as I do education pattern with our kids, but in the end, our kids will copy what we do more than what we ask them to do.

We all have the potential to leave a legacy to our own families and our community. I don’t believe we should belittle life to the point that we look upon it as an unnecessary precursor to death.

I think Tony Robbins put it best when he said “…It is not what we get. But who we become, what we contribute… that gives meaning to our lives…” not a packet of ciggies.

Eric J. Smith