Are You Going to Protect the Family?

The Blind Side is based off of the true story about a family that takes in a young Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) who later in life becomes an All America football player and first round NFL draft pick.  Michael’s life is not an easy one to say the least—his mother is hooked on drugs and sells her body to pay for her habit, while is father is nowhere to be found.  Michael is currently living out on the street, but does his best to survive.  He is feared by most of his peers not only because of his size, but also because of the color of his skin.  There is only one young boy named S.J. Tuohy (Jae Head) who is willing to give Michael a chance.

The audience watches as Michael slowly because a part of the family despite some resistance from within the family and the ridicule of some so-called family friends.  No matter how many times I watch this movie, it always amazes me how someone who is complete stranger becomes so integrated into the family.

It’s obviously possible to do considering otherwise we wouldn’t have the ability to adopt children, but what makes it different in this circumstance is that it wasn’t through adoption that they brought Michael into their family.  It was really just pure luck that they found him and were able to help him.  In many situations youth at his age would have just ran and never looked back, but he was given a fantastic opportunity and though he did resist, he was able to completely change his life with this new family.

I think that this movie really goes to show that someone doesn’t have to be biologically related to you for them to be part of your family.  Would I recommend just randomly picking someone off the street and invite into your home?  No.  But if you’re thinking about adoption or bringing someone into your family who isn’t related to you and you’re worried that you won’t “mesh” well, take the chance anyway.  You never know and it’s obviously possible for people from two completely different backgrounds and cultures to live together and for something special.

“Are you going to protect your family Michael?” said my Sandra Bullock, who plays Leigh Anne Touhy, is probably my favorite quote in the entire movie because it really shows how connected Michael becomes with the Touhy family.  It touches my heart and always gives me chills to see how devoted and protective he becomes to the family along with how much that family cares for him.

I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who hasn’t seen it not only because it’s a fantastic movie, but also to see how people from completely different sides of the rail-road tracks (so-to-speak) can come together to create a loving family.

Have you ever connected with someone or multiple people this closely that you weren’t actually related to?  Share your stories.

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Felicia