"The good news is you're feeling stuff, you know?"

Today I watched the movie "Boyhood" in preparation for tonight's Oscar awards. It is a movie that was shot over a 12 year time span in which we get to watch the real life transformation of a boy, Mason, and his journey through his youth with divorced parents. It was impossible not to watch this movie without thinking about my own life and my boys own experiences at this point of their lives. While there are multiple relatable scenes throughout the film, the one that resonated most was when Mason was standing with his father pondering life's purpose shortly after a breakup with his girlfriend and right before he heads off to college. His father responds,  "The good news is you're feeling stuff, you know?" Earlier in the movie, Mason's mother proclaimed that her life had quickly turned into one life event after another. School, marriage, kids, divorce (times 3), dream job, kids graduating...and then her thoughts moved to her death as if the estimated 40-some years after her children graduated were to mean nothing. Life was more about moving from one event to the next without the "feeling stuff" as her ex had pointed out.

There is no question in my mind that Mason's dad was right on. It is the "feeling stuff" that allows life to have a sense of living a full life, no matter what our purpose may be. Maybe we may never even discover what our purpose is, but as long as we feel each moment in time, use each and every sense, realize the beat of our heart in that moment, and feel that greater presence of something much grander than ourself...maybe that is it. Like looking in my son's eyes and feeling his excitement when he tells a story. Smelling the chocolate before eating it. Breathing the fresh air and taking in the sites that surround one on a walk. Transcending inward and upward during prayer.

This year's DNR After the Shoe Hunt Party was not just an event. It was full of feeling- think of every emoji you have on your cell phone! For those in attendance, Tara's ability to share her story and teach us (as adults!) important life lessons was chalked full of emotion (You can watch it at http://youtu.be/73vC2Ipc_Fc). The shoe hunting stories, whether Kelly's "too many shoes but he didn't say clothes", Heidi's "Ronda's locked in the bathroom", or Laura's "deal from the Good Will only to get ripped off by the antique mall" beckoned joy. Surely, the friends, family, and atmosphere produced peace. The knowledge of wine and delicious food provided by Sharon Templeton yielded appreciation. And that we could help out an individual with a gift of love and the Chix 4 A Cause organization brought about such joy. An event? Sure...but so much more...with feeling.

Tara talked about "fighting like a girl". You, my good friends, have been "hunting like a girl"...prettier, with emotion, and with a greater purpose. Our efforts that evening allowed Tara and her family to receive  many gifts of love so they may take a family trip as well as have funding for other expenditures. Thank you so much.

To continue your support of Tara, please consider following her at www.caringbridge.org. You can also continue your support of Chix 4 A Cause (www.chix4acause.org) at many future events. And, as always, remember those people and businesses who donated their time and gifts to this wonderful night! Until next year...

Be well!
Paula