It has been interesting to sit back and reflect on the mixed feelings that the Nation has had on hearing of the death of Jade Goody. Thoughts have ranged from one extreme to another, from Jade being a ‘21st Century Cinderella’ to many commenting on how they feel that she wrongly placed her death in the public limelight. Having reflected on public opinion my own thoughts follow a number of lines:
1) Dying in the media limelight
There has been much criticism along the lines of the fact that Jade had placed herself in the public limelight during her final days in order to raise as much money as possible for her Children.
Jade became famous after appearing on Big Brother 3, she was labeled the ‘thick’ one. However, on her departure from the house (remember she never actually won Big Brother) she then very cleverly developed a successful career which saw her become a high profile multi-millionaire, she was famous for being famous.
Having come from a poor background and then acquiring a significant amount of money Jade had become used to a certain lifestyle. Jade realized that, she had received little education and she wanted her children to gain the best education that they possibly could do.
It is easy to criticize what Jade has done, however, which parent, in the same situation, would not do the same? If you knew that each of your children would be entitled to over half a million via a trust fund when they are older, would you not want the same. I certainly would.
2) Raising the profile of Cervical Cancer
As has been commented in a number of places already, Jade raise the profile of this horrible disease, encouraging women to go for check ups and, in effect, saving the lives of many women as they have discover this form of cancer in early stages. This can only be a good thing!
3) The Nation is talking about death
The death of Jade Goody has got the Nation talking about death. This is a good thing. Jade, aged 27, with two children, very sadly died. Life is fragile. We take our own lives for granted and we take for granted the lives of those around us.
It was quite challenging for Jade to die on Mothers Day, a day when we give respect and admiration for the many things that our Mother’s have done in our lives. Many of us take our Mothers, Fathers, friends and family for granted. We even take our own lives for granted. Hopefully, Jade’s death will at least cause us to have a new found respect for the fragile nature of the lives that both us and those around us have.
Whatever you’re thoughts of Jade Goody are, I admire the fact that Jade grabbed life by the balls, she chased every single opportunity, she harnessed every possibility and she met everything that she encountered head on. Quite simply, Jade approached life in a way that I desire to and, just like her, I hope to live my life to the full in the knowledge that if I do, who knows what is just around the corner.
