I always enjoy discovering that two apparently dissimilar events/people/experiences actually have more in common than first meets the eye. Such was the case with the DVDs two of our children received as gifts this Christmas. It wasn't until after watching 1958's Auntie Mame, starring Rosalind Russell, and the National Geographic series Kratt Bros. Be the Creature that I realized how much the title characters are alike. Auntie Mame declares that "Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death!" Neither she nor the Kratt brothers have anything in common with "most poor suckers."

The Kratt brothers, Chris and Martin, seem not to have missed a single course at life's banquet. In fact, they fill their plates and never hesitate to go back for another helping. They are "creature adventurers" and bring viewers along on their quest to satiate their voracious appetites for knowledge and understanding of the animal kingdom. They live among various creatures (lions, lemurs, manatees and baboons, to name a few) in an effort to further their, and our, knowledge and appreciation of them. One of the best parts of sharing these experiences with Chris and Martin is that their excitement, enthusiasm, and sense of wonder and curiosity are so pure and sincere. Experiencing these videos, I feel a partner in the adventure and learning, and so do my kids. The Kratts are generous hosts at the meal of life, clearly enjoying the repast and delighted to invite others to join them.

Auntie Mame is a character thrilled by life and the infinite possibilities spread before her at its table. She is a woman of "enthusiasms" who changes her home decor as often as she changes her hair color and wardrobe; which is to say, not infrequently. The items which remain constant at Mame's feast of life, however, are love and loyalty. Whether the object of her affection is her nephew, Patrick, his nurse, her house boy, her two best friends or her fabulously wealthy husband, Mame is as good and true a parent, friend and supporter of these people as she is an intrepid gourmand at the banquet of life. Watching Auntie Mame makes me want to take her advice and "Live, live, live!" while I am able.

I imagine most parents believe that their children are anything but common. I know mine to be exceptional. Accordingly, I hope they will not suffer the fate of "most poor suckers," and I pray that life's infinite possibilities are not lost on them. Whether they choose to be artists, teachers, doctors, scientists, musicians, explorers or parents, it is my deepest desire that they dive into life with both eyes open and order from every section of its menu, experiencing the entire thing, from soup to nuts.

Sue "Mom on Film" Harvey is a mother of three who shares her passion for film with bi-weekly, family-friendly movie recommendations.

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