OBITUARY

I came across a text by the famous Author Unknown that I want to share with you. The title is Obituary for Mr. Common Sense.

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend by the name of Common Sense. He lived a long life but died at the beginning of the new millennium. No one really knows how old he was, but he selflessly devoted his life to service in schools, hospitals, homes, factories, helping folks get jobs done without fanfare and foolishness. For decades petty rules, silly laws and frivolous lawsuits held no power over Common Sense.

            He was credited with cultivating such valued lessons as to know when to come out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, and that life isn’t always fair. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you earn), reliable parenting strategies (the adults are in charge, not the kids), and it is okay to come in second.

            In recent decades his waning strength proved no match for the ravages of well intentioned, but overbearing regulations. Common Sense watched in pain as good people became ruled by self-seeking lawyers. His health rapidly deteriorated when schools endlessly implemented zero tolerance policies. Reports of a six-year-old charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, a teen suspended for taking a swig of mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student only worsened his condition. It declined even further when schools had to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student but could not inform the parents when a female student was pregnant or wanted an abortion.

            Common Sense lost his will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband and criminals received better treatment than their victims. And when a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot and was awarded a huge settlement, Common Sense threw in the towel. He drifted in and out of logic when learning of questionable regulations such as those for rocking chairs and stepladders.

            Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.