Precious Pinata: Q&A with Author, Charlene Renaud

  

As our final Giggle Mat Episode for 2021, we have Precious Pinata by Charlene Renaud, who is a children's health and safety advocate.  Precious Pinata’s global mission is to end adverse childhood experiences and promote children’s health, safety, and life education. This is a wonderful book (with a vibrant stuffy toy included to complement the book!) that deals with many complex life topics that are essential to discuss at early ages to promote lifelong learners and help children thrive in an everchanging world.

Precious Pinata will be showcased Thursday, December 1, 2021 on The Giggle Mat , so you’ll want to tune in for that episode.

Here is the Q&A with Charlene for you to enjoy:

1.  I love how the book has so many different themes to explore and the plushy Precious Pinata toy is adorable with all the stuffed coloured balls inside its belly.  How did you come up with this concept?

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The concept came from my first book, the Pinata Theory which targets an adult audience. The Pinata Theory explains the dynamics and sources of human influence, stored in an individual’s subconscious mind, affecting a person’s beliefs and life outcome. “What’s in Your Stuffing” is the subtitle of this book, a metaphor to help people visualize the effects of life experiences coming from many sources, i.e., family, religion, social norms, culture, adversity, where you live, media, etc. 

The book speaks about “unhealthy stuffing” such as racism, greed, materialism, unhealthy family dynamics, childhood adversity, or trauma, which all contribute to a person’s life outcome (i.e., socioeconomic, health, relationships, self-image). The book contained “Sparkling Pinata Tips” which are life tips sprinkled throughout the book, highlighted with an adorable Pinata. I thought, why not make this cute Pinata into a toy for children to teach them about life, minimize adversity and promote health, safety, and life skills? Each of the balls relates to a life topic. Putting the balls inside of Precious helps children visualize the effects of healthy and unhealthy stuffing (life experiences) that go inside of them, or they share with others. 

The book “Precious Pinata What’s in Your Child’s Stuffing?” is read to a child by an adult, covering diverse life topics to prepare children for everyday life. The design of Precious was based on psychology, prevention, education, and mentoring, all produce a successful teaching method that works. 

2.  I think most of us wish that we learned more as kids growing up, but the resources were limited and conversations about mental health and other topics carried a heavier stigma than today.  How does Precious Pinata address tough topics so loved ones can navigate these waters effectively? 

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I agree! If we learned about real-life or had good discussions with an adult early in life about tough topics, many people would have had a better life, versus developing mental illness, addiction, or life-altering disease. Adverse childhood experiences are the greatest link to future disease. “One in three girls and one in six boys in Canada experience an unwanted sexual act” and “95% of sexual abuse victims know their predator. Source: https://littlewarriors.ca/about/information-resources/. Precious Pinata’s book covers abuse, unhealthy relationships, mental health and so much more. 

Being honest with children will save their life, health, and future. Precious’s book makes it easy for parents to teach their children about life, done in a child-friendly way. We can have a better world if we cut through the lies, stigma, and distortion, being transparent about sexual abuse, addiction, mental illness, and accepted norms that are wrong. 

Would you put your child in a car without a seat belt? Not speaking to them about real-life topics is leaving them blindfolded, naïve, and vulnerable. 

3.   You offer a lot of school programs and workshops which is fantastic. I’m wondering since kids are very inquisitive, what kind of questions do they ask you? On the flip side, since you also cater to parents, educators, and communities, what kind of questions have you encountered from them?

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The school programs did not start because of covid. If educators would like to have a presentation this fall moving forward, the school presentation includes interaction (learning, sharing), an appearance by the Precious Pinata mascot, dancing, and music, suited for children in Junior Kindergarten to grade 5. The school can request specific topics to cover in the presentation, i.e., Orange Shirt Day (Residential Schools, Indigenous Children, Racism), Pink Shirt Day (Bullying), 911, Healthy Relationships, Emotions, and Mental Health, for example. 

The topic of sexual abuse is a topic covered by a parent (or therapist) with their child, not in a group setting. Therapists use Precious Pinata with positive results with children who have experienced trauma. Children open up and share based on Precious Pinata talking about the brown ball – Pinata Poop Stuffing. Children are encouraged to share any experience that makes them feel sad, angry, afraid, guilty, or worried with an adult right away so they can get help with the situation and feelings. Parents have shared their children opened up and shared experiences and feelings with them. The book encourages dialogue, health, and growth tools. The book is designed to open up dialogue about important life topics and fill the gap that traditional education does not provide. 

A parent shared her seven-year-old daughter thwarted off a predator, as she was taught about familiar people acting strange, sexual abuse, and telling someone right away. A therapist in Montreal shared great success using Precious with autistic children. A teacher shared a shy boy opened up after she read portions of the book to him about sharing experiences and emotions. 

Many adults have said they wished Precious Pinata was shared with them as a child, as they would have been aware of the abuse and known what to do. Children are vulnerable. Precious Pinata educates them to remove the vulnerability. Predators are tactful and ruthless. We must be truthful with children, to avoid abuse and exploitation. 

4.  Collaborations are always a great idea.  Can you tell me more about the Precious Pinata song with music production and vocals by Julian Telias and how that came to life? It’s quite a catchy song!

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I did not plan the Precious Pinata toy and book, rather it just came to me. I knew it was needed for this generation. With the pandemic, I was unable to do live presentations. It was discouraging. I prayed for assistance and I was directed (through a thought) to write a song. I wrote it in 30 minutes. 

I posted a musical production project on Freelancer outlining the song project and purpose, with replies from across the world. I liked Julian’s style, talent, and voice, so I awarded him the contract. Within three weeks, the song was completed. Julian did an amazing job and recorded the song in English and Spanish. He is from Argentina. His friend did the translation to Spanish for the Spanish version. 

The song was designed to reach the masses, not just kids. The song promotes diversity, unity community and love. It’s very upbeat, danceable, and has words to encourage self-love, love of others, and the planet. We are at a critical stage in humanity, shifting from damaging social norms, moving to love, peace, unity, and breaking barriers through community action. Racism plagued people of this earth. Canadians have seen this in attacks on Muslims, Chinese and Indigenous people. 

5.  Are there any areas of Precious Pinata that you would like to expand on or include that you feel you haven’t already covered?

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Welcome a presentation by Charlene at your workplace regarding the link between adverse childhood experiences to future disease and the design, creation, features, and purpose of Precious Pinata. 

Other ideas to promote Precious Pinata and its mission: 

    • If you are an educator, contact Charlene for a school presentation with the Precious Pinata mascot. 

    • If you are a therapist or child psychologist, invest in Precious Pinata for use as a psychoeducational therapy tool. 

    • Police services and children’s aid services may also consider using Precious Pinata plush toys to comfort children and help them share difficult experiences. 

    • Retailers are encouraged to contact Charlene regarding carrying Precious Pinata in their store, to get Precious Pinata to the masses. 

    • Psychology students would also benefit from learning about the psychological approach and advantage of Precious Pinata for children. 

    • High schools and universities are invited to lead a project to expand Precious Pinata locally and globally (i.e., film, cartoon, apps, dance with Precious Pinata to a new Precious Pinata song.

    • Movie producers are encouraged to contact Charlene regarding collaboration on a Precious Pinata movie for television or theatre. 

    • Musical, acting, and/or dancing students and theatre crews are welcome to propose a live production of Precious Pinata, to help children (and adults) and address social problems with solutions. 

    • Investors and collaborators are greatly appreciated. 

You can learn more about Charlene and Precious Pinata at the following links below.

💜Website: www.preciouspinata.com

💜Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/CharleneRenaudSpeakerAuthor

https://www.facebook.com/Precious-Pinata-239427400098291

💜IG: preciouspinata

💜LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlene-renaud-3b32b936/

💜Contact: info@charlenerenaud.com / 519-436-3911

Getting Into The Spirit, Eh? 12 Days of Canadian Christmas – Toldo Holiday Pops

Check out my review of Toldo Holiday Pops - 12 Days of Canadian Christmas:

This time of year carries a mix of emotions for people, myself included.  It is meant to be a time of love but it also filled with a season of loss. However, there is something magically soothing just hearing violins playing in unison and the harmony of a choir that can really lift your spirits. Going to The Capitol Theatre here in Windsor, Ontario to see Toldo Holiday Pops – 12 Days of Canadian Christmas, presented by the Windsor Symphony Orchestra (WSO), feels like that hot cup of cocoa in your belly on a cold winter’s day – especially with tiny marshmallows on top!

With his sixth season as WSO’s Musical Director, Robert Franz is truly a sight to see! His contagious spirit radiates when he is conducting. His discipline and poise really bring something very special to this show that is definitely a crowd-pleaser for all ages. With a flounce in his step, Robert’s passion is undeniable. He is a musical marvel with a cheeky humour, complete with colourful and deliberate mismatched socks.

On vocals, Sara Fontaine steps onto the stage. With an extensive background in music, teaching and owning her own studio here in Windsor-Essex County, Sara’s voice can stop you in your tracks.  Singing “Joy To The World” in a jazzy/gospel style and hitting the high note in “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” will melt your heart. She is a powerhouse of sound and those were my two favourite sung by her.

The evening started out with a beautiful Overture on French Carols, and you could hear many favourites throughout the 2-hour show, such as: Little Drummer Boy, Feliz Navidad, Waltz of the Flowers, and a medley from the Polar Express film. The WSO orchestra chorus raised the bar with a chilling rendition of O’Holy Night that deserved a standing ovation.

The highlight of the evening was bringing best-selling book, A Porcupine in a Pine Tree, written by Helaine Becker and illustrated by Werner Zimmermann, to life with music.  A hilarious tribute to all things Canadian, including beaver tails, caribous, and of course, The Stanley Cup.

Not forgetting our Jewish friends, several Hanukkah songs were played, with the adorable Music Moves Kids choir from Director, Erin Armstrong and Windsor Essex Youth Choir from Danielle Sirek.

Of course, you cannot forget the big jolly guy who made a special appearance and made all the kids eyes light up. Some children wanted slime, others asked for an Elf on the Shelf. However, the best reply to “What would you like for Christmas?” had to be a little girl name Grace, who responded with, “I want a horse!” Clearly some planning went into that gift request!

Not surprising, it was announced that the Toldo Holiday Pops had a sold-out performance. If you’ve never been to the symphony before, I would recommend dipping your toes into this holiday show in the future and experiencing Maestro Franz and his exceptional team.  After all,  “without music, life would be a mistake” ― Friedrich Nietzsche.

The WSO returns on January 26 with French Connections, a journey of musical colours and textures by French composers. The program features a traditional French song, and Claude Debussy’s impressionistic suite Printemps. Members of the Windsor Symphony Youth Orchestra will join the WSO on stage and perform Faure’s Masques et Bergamasques.

The performance also showcases the World Premiere of Toronto-based composer Jordan Pal’s Trombone Concerto and Saint Saëns innovative Symphony No. 2 in A minor.

Are We Dead Yet?: Dead in a Week (Or Your Money Back) Movie Review

Check out my review of Dead in a Week:

Meet William (Aneurin Barnard) a forlorn writer who is convinced that his life has no purpose and dying is the only way out. After yet another failed attempt at suicide, he crosses paths with an “Angel of Death” assassin,  Leslie (Tom Wilkinson), who promises to fulfill his wish once and for all.

There are odd moments in Dead in a Week, directed by Tom Edmunds, where Leslie and William are sitting down to discuss the details of the contract, complete with a brochure titled “Your Death, Your Way.” The pamphlet has various options of death that you can choose from, including pictures.  If you haven’t guessed by now, dark humour is rampant in this British film and there is no shortage of mockery on such a grim topic.

With some pretty off-the-wall humour and morbid scenes, I was reminded a bit of filmmakers; the Cohen Brothers, who seem to delight or disturb their audiences.  At times, it’s hard not to laugh because although William continues to muster up the courage to die, it doesn’t seem like he can even do that properly. There is a short little montage of all his suicide attempts, including the most ridiculous one, where he sticks his head in the oven, but the gas suddenly turns off. In the background, “I Think We’re Alone Now” by Tiffany is playing.

William has lovable qualities and who can resist those puppy-dog eyes, but his preoccupation with dying seems unconvincing. After making all necessary arrangements, out of the blue, William gets a call from Ellie (Freya Mavor), who is a publisher’s assistant and seems very keen on his book.  A romantic love connection forms between them, making William realize that he may just want to live.  Unfortunately, a signed contract is taken very seriously for Leslie, who is teetering on forced retirement if he doesn’t fulfill his quota for “kills” during the week. He is less than impressed with William’s sudden revelation.

Things that could go wrong, go wrong, oh so very wrong. People are accidentally killed and William is once again escaping death, this time hand-in-hand with Ellie. The dark humour really comes into play during one scene between Leslie and his boss, Harvey, (played by the eccentric Christopher Eccleston). The interaction has funny elements, but seems to trail off into a zone where the initial joke gets lost in the banter.

Despite some flaws, I found this film oddly sentimental in very unexpected ways. The obscurity of how suicide is portrayed might not sit well with everyone, but sometimes it reminds us not to take life too seriously after all.

Hoping for a Miracle: Mail Order Monster – Movie Review

Check out my review of Mail Order Monster:

What is it like to lose a parent? There is a sense of devastation, sadness, and even anger that can really shake a young child to the core. Over time, emotions can wax and wane but there comes a point of acceptance that needs to be reached. The most troubling part is when the other parent begins to not only start dating again, but actually finds love.

Mail Order Monster, directed by Paulina Lagudi, tells the story of Sam (played by Madison Horcher) who is trying to come to terms with her mother’s passing. It doesn’t help being relentlessly bullied at school and realizing that her father, Roy, has slowly slipped away into a new romance. Sam’s future “step-mother” Sydney, is trying desperately to fit into the family and Sam wants absolutely no part of it.  Sydney decides to surprise Sam with a rare comic book, in hopes to win her over, but the slight affection that Sam begins to show her, ends up backfiring after Roy decides he is ready to be re-married.  The thought of replacing Sam’s mother is too hard for Sam to imagine and so she sends away for a mail order monster (an ad found on the back of the comic that Sydney got her) for comfort.

The box arrives at Sam’s doorstep in a huge wooden crate with the words MOM printed on the outside (an anagram of Mail Order Monster). Sam goes into the shed and builds the robot monster, keeping it a secret from everyone. The monster comes to life and begins to take on the mannerisms of Sam’s mother, which becomes an endearing part of the movie. There is a heart-warming scene too when MOM (the name of the monster) brushes away a single strand of Sam’s hair and they make a pact to always be there for each other.

The monster is definitely quirky, just like Sam. It looks fragile yet has intuitive thinking capabilities. It reminded me a bit of Johnny 5 (Short Circuit), Chappie and The Iron Giant all rolled up into one. The pace of the movie had some lagging parts, especially the drawn-out scenes when the monster was walking, which I think could have been executed better.

The film was done in a live-action style, which was pretty interesting and even though there were some funny scenes throughout, it gets dark…and for a family drama, take note parents to sit down and discuss with your kid(s) how they felt. I could appreciate the more violent moments done in a comic strip sequence. It was a creative approach to take instead of totally censoring the violence and disturbing scenes (similar to the opening with Sam’s mother’s death).

Although some of the plot left gaps and aside from Sam’s performance, the rest of the cast fell a bit flat, the guiding message that really holds strong in this movie is that whether in life on Earth or with the angels above, a mother’s love for her daughter is never forgotten.

Kevin Smith – Silent But Deadly (Stand-Up Comedy) – Movie Review

Check out my review of Kevin Smith - Silent But Deadly:

Kevin Smith wears many hats. As a producer, director, comic book writer and actor, he’s been working hard, or hardly-working (he admits to his laziness at times) to create a successful career. Most know him for the sleeper hit 90’s movie; Clerks, and of course being the silent half of the stoner duo; Jay and Silent Bob.

In this stand-up comedy show, Kevin Smith is quite a story-teller and you do get a glimpse into his life in a very open and honest way. He wears his snapback ball cap and signature jersey with pride. Although the topics may seem mundane, like his copious amount of hilarious weed tales or detailing his random 20 minute phone call with Bruce Willis, Kevin has a way of hooking you into his world with a genuine sense of curiosity. There is a lot of vulgarity, which is kind of his shtick, and clearly TMI (too much information) into his sexcapades with his wife that will have you laughing.

I am not sure if it was the lighting during his performance, but Kevin looked like he was developing jaundice as the show went on. He did reveal though at the start of the show candidly about his near-death experience. He had a massive heart attack and claimed that smoking weed saved his life because he remained so calm through the whole situation. Obviously, take it with the grain of salt, he’s a comedian, not a doctor. Fortunately, Kevin survived the ordeal with a very loud wake-up call. He vowed to put his obesity to rest by following a totally vegan diet, which he now sings the praises of.

When Silent Bob speaks, people listen and I’m glad that he is still alive and kicking ready to share more of his adventures with us and to keep his best friend Jason Mewes from ever crying again.

Feels Like Home: Instant Family Movie Review

Check out my reviewof Instant Family:

What if your doctor told you that you would never be able to conceive a child? For many couples, this devastating news is like a knife through the heart. The countless other methods to figure out what to do next and the thousands of dollars spent for a possible miracle is exhausting, physically, emotionally and financially. Other times, careers take precedent and baby-making is an after-thought. It then simply becomes a matter of wanting a child before all those grey hairs start to sprout. The idea of “adoption” can be a scary word because it hits a cord of “but it’s not mine, it’s someone else’s kid!”

Instant Family was based off of director and co-writer Sean Anders real story of adopting three siblings out of foster care. The movie has tons of humour (thank goodness!) because some scenes will literally bring you to tears. It does balance well with a serious tone too. It sheds some light on the complications of adoption, such as when the birth mother comes back into the picture and wants custody, as well as the behavioural struggles that foster children go through. It also shows how many teenagers are left behind and “age-out” (which is a key part of the film – adopting a teenager and also her younger brother and sister) and put back into the foster care system. A majority of couples want to adopt a baby or at the most, a very young child.

The whole cast fit really nicely together. The case workers; Octavia Spencer and Tig Notaro, as well as some of the other couples (and a single mom) who had their own stories to share were definitely comic relief. Plus, you have the multi-talented Mark Wahlberg, who is just a joy to watch on-screen and the surprise appearance of Joan Cusack. The ending with everyone was really touching too, with the perfect send-off of 80’s Starship’s epic song, Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now. Yes it’s cheesy, yes it’s predictable and probably not the way most court cases would go, but who cares! The whole audience in the theatre was overtaken by emotion and for me, that makes this one wonderful movie.

There are plenty of reasons why adoption is not the right choice for everyone, but after seeing this film, perhaps you may find that one reason to know why it truly is.

Trigger Warning: President Evil Movie Review

Check out my review below of President Evil:

Get out of your safe spaces and enter a satirical mindfu*k that feels like the love child of 4Chan and Buzzfeed.

President Evil, directed by Richard Lowry, doesn’t hold back parodying all the social commentaries on the political spectrum. If you can think of any stereotype, chances are it’s in this movie.

The movie follows the rhythm of Michael Myers Halloween horror flick, where someone dressed as President Donald Trump is on the war path against anyone who is not a conservative idealogue. It has all the horror tropes, such as the walking slasher vs the running victim, jump scares and second-take disappearances.

While the film did have some humourous moments, mostly from the utterly ridiculous exaggerations, it also had some that were cringe-worthy, such as the Sheriff who was completely incompetent. I particularly laughed hardest at the Trump character when he was looking directly at the solar eclipse, the awkward bromance with Dr. Lutin (aka Putin) as well as the appearance of his baby hands.

If you are someone who is not very politically-savvy, you may miss the over-abundance of references. I don’t think this movie was intended for the average viewer. I can forgive the low budget and bad acting, but with such a limited demographic appeal is where the movie fails.

President Evil is available on Demand (Amazon and other platforms).

A Silhouetto Of A Man: Bohemian Rhapsody Movie Review

Check out my review below of Bohemian Rhapsody:

The expectations were very high when it was announced that Rami Malek was going to be portraying the iconic frontman performer of Queen, the immortal Freddie Mercury.

The biographical film, Bohemian Rhapsody, directed by Bryan Singer, received a rating of only PG-13. The whole idea of making this movie stirred up a lot of buzz because you have purists who would be looking with a fine-tooth comb for any inaccuracies that dare follow a different story line or creative vision that doesn’t mesh with their memory of Queen, and the real members of the band that may not feel they were depicted fairly or accurately. In all honesty, it took me a few times after seeing the different trailers launched to really get excited. I had a few questions wondering if this movie would solely delve into controversial waters like Freddie’s sexuality or his passing from HIV/AIDS.

Well, by the end of the movie, tears were streaming down my face and Malek showed the world that he could not only fit into the tightest jeans possible, but he had the skill and passion to portray Freddie Mercury in such a genuine and heartfelt way. It was revealed by critics that Malek actually was lip-syncing (Marc Matel, a Canadian singer was part of the actual vocals) and he had the assistance of Spoons keyboardist Rob Preuss to help him with his piano moves. In reality, it takes some big chops to get a multi-octave vocal range identical to the late Mercury. I realize that doesn’t sit well with some people, but to each their own. I was still very moved by not only the story, but the way Rami really connected with the role and made you feel like he had that soul of Freddie Mercury.  All the vocal performances throughout the movie, especially the epic song; Radio Ga Ga (yes, a personal favourite), were still very inspiring.

The one distracting part was the prosthetic teeth that Malek had in the movie. Freddie Mercury was known for his overbite, but I think the designers went a wee bit overboard.

I’m glad that the director and writers didn’t dwell on Freddie’s sexual promiscuity or orientation. There was so much more to his life than who he went to bed with. One moment in the movie will stop you in your tracks though. I will not share this spoiler, but it really encompassed the most vulnerable side of Mercury that lets you know that despite his grandiose and flamboyant persona, he was human too. The scene managed to subtly show, the profound impact that Mercury had on his fans and what they meant to him in return.

As the years go by and the champagne stops flowing and the makeup comes off, the only thing we ever need is just somebody to love.

We are always Searching: Movie Review

Check out my next movie review; Searching

https://519magazine.com/we-are-always-searching-movie-review-searching/

In the midst of perfection, we tend to lie to ourselves, believing that life will always be a smooth straight road. When heartache shows up, it can be a short-term visitor or a long-term tenant that fills your heart with a daily dose of grief.

The movie “Searching” is an intense thriller that has the starting elements of predictability. John Cho plays the role of a workaholic yet grief-stricken father, David Kim, who is trying to deal with the passing of his wife and feeling overwhelmed with raising a teenage daughter, Margot on his own.  Of course, Margot (played by Michelle La) is lost in her own identity, as most 16-year-olds are, but puts on the facade that everything is just fine. As text messages start getting unanswered and no one knows the whereabouts of Margot, David decides to report his daughter missing, and with the help of detective Rosemary Vick, (played by Debra Messing – note she is unlike the beloved “Grace” from the nostalgic tv show Will & Grace!) that’s where the story really begins.

As a parent, when your teen doesn’t return your text message after the third attempt, there is always a nagging feeling at the back of your mind that something is wrong. Sometimes you can brush it off and be reassured that they are probably out with friends or absently once again forgot to charge their phone. The last thing any parent wants to face is that their child is in danger, especially an abduction.

The layers of the film get deeper as the time goes by. I couldn’t keep my eyes off the screen as the film just grabs you and you feel the emotional wounds that harbour the father. As soon as you piece together the puzzle, you will realize that your assumptions are wrong and you’re back to figuring out the mystery. Very well-paced and just terrific acting.

I will add in that the movie did an impressive job on capturing the social media commentary that often occurs when breaking news stories like topics of kidnapping and abduction come into the public eye. A delicate battle of logic versus emotional appeal that is truly culturally-relevant.

Overall, I would highly recommend checking this movie out. Sometimes when you are searching for answers, you only find half of what lies beneath the actual truth.

Writing for 519 Magazine!

I am really excited to be writing for this awesome local publication!

519 Magazine is Southwestern Ontario's based music, entertainment, fashion and lifestyle website.

Check out my review of Won't You Be My Neighbor below:

https://519magazine.com/knock-knock-wont-you-be-my-neighbour/

Sadly, we live in a world where it feels unsafe to keep our doors open anymore and if someone does knock, we are automatically gearing ourselves up for the fight or flight mode. Half of us probably don’t even know who are neighbours are because we are too busy to look up from playing Candy Crush to say “hi neighbour!”

I wasn’t sure what to expect. Would I just get a lot of footage from the olden days of television, mixed in with some commentary about Fred or would this director (Morgan Neville) create something that we’d all be talking about for decades to come?  I cannot say enough positive things about this documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” on the life of Fred Rogers, and it couldn’t have come at a more needed time in our society.

I will admit that when I was younger, I was quite terrified of Mr. Roger’s owl puppet and confused by some of his fashion choices, especially having a pink sweater in his closet. Before I’m thrown under the bus for my genuine confusion, remember I was just a little girl in the 80’s, trying to navigate the world while growing up in a rather traditional household (my room was decorated in various shades of pink, with flowery wallpaper, top to bottom) while my brother had a room filled with “manly” race cars decor. So yeah,  what made sense to me then is clearly different than the present time. 🙂

Back to the review. Fred was such an incredible man on so many levels. Yes, he was a man of strong faith, which doesn’t always sit well with me because from my own personal experiences, some “believers” and ministers tend to “preach” but don’t take responsibility for their actions or have a lot of moral fiber to begin in. HOWEVER, with saying that, Fred was definitely an exception. I’m sure he would have hugged an Atheist the same way he would have embraced a Christian.

It’s hard to put into words the depth of Fred’s character and his genuine empathy for others who were so different from him. It’s really a film that you just need to fully take in and appreciate.

If for some reason, it’s difficult for you to express your emotions to someone in your life, just tell them 143. Once you watch this film, you’ll understand how powerful those numbers can be.