Turn Around

I attended a luncheon this week and the speaker was Leigh Anne Tuohy, the lady who inspired the movie Blind Side.  She was definitely inspiritional as she told the story of her family who would often turn around when going down the street if they saw someone in trouble.  She said she taught all three of her children including Michael Oher, the homeless teen that the movie was written about, to notice people around them and always be willing to help when they could.  She said it was quite noticeable when they first spotted Michael that he needed help.  He was walking down the street on a misty night with inappropriate clothing and nowhere to go.  They passed him and she told her husband to turn around  to see if he was okay.  That lead to a relationship that changed all their lives. 

We live in a caring and compassionate country and for the most part those in trouble have a place to go and someone to care about them.  However, it is important for us all to be willing to turn around when we see someone in need.  The Tuohy family was unusual and we don't all have the capacity to take in a homeless child but there are many ways we can reach out right where we are day to day.  I think one of the most important things she said is that society considers many children disposable and that is something that we all can help with.  The line that I use on my blog says "Treat people as if they are what they could be and you help them become what they can be." 

Mrs. Tuohy is a wonderful example of the best in our world and the movie was inspirational.