I watched some of the pre-game shows Sunday leading up to the Super Bowl game. There was a player for the Arizona Cardinals, Larry Fitzgerald Jr., who lost his mother a few years ago. Unfortunately, when she died, it was during a time when the mother and son were not speaking to each other. The amount of guilt this young man felt, weighing heavily on his heart, was evident during the interview. His father said his mother had already forgiven him and there was no need for him to carry the guilt.

Sunday was the anniversary of my mother’s death and it broke my heart to hear him talk of his guilt and remorse but it certainly serves as a reminder of keeping our family close to us. We just never know what the future holds or even the next minute.

On a much lighter note, I was disappointed with the advertisements during this year’s Super Bowl game. Some of the ones that had some imagination were stupid. Others were even more a waste of money.

I was pleased to see there weren’t ads from the big three car manufacturers. Hyundai and Toyota were the only ones that advertised. Probably I wouldn’t be the only taxpayer who would have been irate to know our money was paying for multimillion-dollar commercials during a sporting event.

A few ads will be classics. My most favorite was the one for Bridgestone Tires with Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head. Absolutely hilarious.

In case you missed it, it has the two driving in a cute, little convertible with the Mrs. jabbering and complaining until the car approaches a herd of sheep on the road. The Mr. slams on the brakes, causing his wife’s lips to fly off and roll down a hill, still nagging all the way down. Mrs. P then changes her regular eyes to angry eyes. Mr. Potato Head smiles and drives off.

Other favorites were the Doritos commercials, especially the ones with the beer-flavored chips and the snow globe.

The game was exciting even though I’m not a big fan of either team.

I always have been a huge fan of Bruce Springsteen and he delivered as anticipated in the half-time show. I wonder what he and his band were paid for 12 minutes of entertainment. Well, maybe I don’t want to know.

— susan berg