Michael Oher and his parents

When I travel, folks often ask me if I am a Vikings fan. My favorite response is, “Gee, I don’t follow baseball.” No need to write me a nasty note telling me that the Vikings don’t play baseball – of course I know they are a hockey team.

Cheyenne and I went out to see the movie The Blind Side this weekend. I knew there was some football in the movie, but I was not fully aware of the premise of the movie. I certainly had no idea it was a real person’s story – football player, Michael Oher.

I usually don’t bother watching anything with sports in it – not my cup of tea generally; but, I saw the trailer for this movie and it looked like a feel good movie and this time of year I am all about the feel good movies. Plus, it has Sandra Bullock in it and I love Sandra Bullock movies.

I rarely go to the movies as two hours of sitting still for a movie that has no pause button is quite a stretch for me. Cheyenne and I saw the movie on the Ultrascreen at West Acres. My goodness is that a large screen! I would never want my pores viewed that closely…you have to be some kind of perfect or all kinds of brave to agree to that.

But I digress…I really wanted to share with you two things about the movie. The first thing I want to share is that this movie has just enough humor in it that you are saved from bawling your way through it. It is quite touching and the impact this family had on Michael Oher and vice versa will remind you of the power of humanity.

Second, the underlying message of how many kids like Michael Oher that don’t make it out was also powerful. The film was, as I said before, a feel good movie. It didn’t linger too long in the dreary reality of Michael Oher’s life prior to meeting the Touhy family, but it didn’t abandon the point that there are so many others like Michael that do not get a chance to get out of the projects.

I really liked the movie (as did Cheyenne) and to learn that it was a true story was even better. I now have a bit bigger interest in football than I did before. When the Ravens play I will be sure and keep an eye out for Michael Oher and here forward I will be reminded of his powerful story.

I want to be more like Michael’s adopted mom, Leigh Ann Tuohy, when I grow up – not just talking about faith, but really living it with aplomb. If we could all just invest in one child, like Leigh Ann did with Michael, the world would be a much better place.  So many children have been left behind by drugs and crime…we should be able to do better.  The Blind Side shows you how one family did do better.

Day one hundred and forty of the new forty – obla di obla da

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