In a Heartbeat Post 4

One extremely inspiring part of the book was a section written by Leigh Anne and Sean's son, Michael. In a situation as moving and uncommon as that of the Touhy family, I think it can be easy to focus on the family doing the good deed (I am in no way saying they do not deserve recognition because they certainly do) and somewhat overshadow the child that they brought in. Michael's section of the book is decently small, a mere two and a half pages, but the message is extraordinary. Michael talks about the will he constantly had inside of him to not give up, to make something of himself, and to not allow his circumstances to overtake the person he had the potential to be. A lot of kids in Michael's position- homeless at some points, hungry, without family, and in need of support- would simply fall through the cracks or allow their circumstances to define who they are. It takes an amazing fire within someone to chalk their entire past up to simply that; the past. Many allow their pasts to decide their futures or don't reach beyond what most expect of them. Michael Oher could have easily decided that no one expected him to pass fifth grade, so why do it. He could have easily said there was no point in reaching goals because no one would recognize them. He could have easily given up and allowed drugs and gangs to overflow his life and potential. However, Michael channeled his rough childhood into a passion to do something beyond his means, a passion that no one could take away from him. Even Sean and Leigh Anne note that Michael doesn't dwell on his past or complain about the hardships he has gone through. He leaves the past where it belongs; behind the person he has become. Michael says, "I don't dwell on the past. I'm not going to feel sorry for myself because I didn't have a place to stay a lot of the time. It is what it is. Take it and run with it. That's why I'll never, ever wake up and be comfortable with my situation-- it'll always be unbelievable."