Tara Boswell
Lost and Found; Trust His Plan
May 2024 Issue
by Edwina Hoyle
Photography (top) by Cassidy Dunn Photography
Tara Boswell’s life has been idyllic. She grew up on a farm in the tiny community of Cummings, S.C., seven miles outside of Yemassee, and has never left. “I grew up there and have always loved it-–the space, the fresh air, conserving wildlife and experiencing God’s magnificent creations.” She married her high school sweetheart, Chuck, who grew up in nearby Hampton. Their parents knew each other, and Tara said it seemed like they had always been in each other’s lives. “Our relationship evolved. I started dating Chuck when I was 16 and never went out with anyone else.” The couple married when Tara was 21, after she earned her degree in elementary education.
Tara taught kindergarten until her daughter, Jayne, arrived and her son, Jake, was born two years later. After their kids were enrolled in school, she returned to teaching. Chuck was the vice president of manufacturing at his family-owned business, Kick’s Industries, which manufacturers choke tubes for shotguns. They both were active in their church. Tara dreamed of starting her own yoga business, and Chuck was going to help her. Life was perfect. Then suddenly it wasn’t.
It was just another Tuesday morning—May 9, 2023, at 7:40 a.m. to be exact. Chuck was riding his newly acquired motorcycle to work. Chuck and Tara had talked about him riding the motorcycle to work the night before. Conditions were perfect. It would be daylight because of daylight savings time, so deer and boars wouldn’t be a problem on the country roads. It wasn’t going to be cold, and there was no rain in the forecast. So, Chuck cranked up the motorcycle, put on his helmet, and set off.
He was only five minutes away from work when a 24-year-old man flew through an intersection and caused the wreck that killed Chuck. The driver was both drunk and high on marijuana. Ironically, their son Jake was on a side road and had stopped to watch some turkeys in a field. Tara said that perhaps if he hadn’t stopped for that minute or two, he might have seen or been involved in the crash. As Jake drove by the site, he saw pieces of the bike in the road, but didn’t realize it was his father’s motorcycle, or that his dad had been killed.
“It has turned us upside down,” Tara said. “Chuck was the backbone of our family. But I’ve never been closer to God. God told me, ‘Trust my plan.’ I know it was God’s plan, and it was Chuck’s time. The Lord sees the big picture, and Chuck rode his bike straight up to heaven.”
“Chuck was beyond generous, and he loved the Lord. He loved music, and in high school he played in a rock band. The rock n’ roll music evolved into Christian music, and Chuck played at church where he served as a deacon. He was super smart, down-to-earth and loved his family. He loved golf, fishing, horses, and he was into conservation. He also loved to fly small planes,” Tara shared.
“As Christians, we have to carry ourselves differently, in faith. God sent so many family and friends to us, who gave us overwhelming love, support, sincerity, and generosity. Someone told me once that to make a friend, you have to be a friend. I need to be a better friend and do outreach. The support I received has renewed my faith in humanity. There is suffering everywhere. Things could be so much worse, like children who are suffering.”
Now, a year later, Tara is still involved in the criminal case. The young man was arrested after a six-month investigation and is in jail. This is his second offense, and he has pleaded not guilty. The verdict will come soon, but the fallout will last forever.
“Alcohol is a gateway drug, so don’t do it. Drinking is a choice,” Tara said. “If you choose to drink, choose NOT to drive. There’s nothing special about this man. It could have been anybody. We all make mistakes. If he could sincerely say he’s sorry, if he was remorseful, I’d have much more empathy toward him. He will be judged in heaven.”
Tara now does more outreach through her new businesses, “Yoga Poses and Goat Noses.”The small goats she acquired this year are true therapy animals, and not only does she offer baby goat yoga classes, she also takes the goats to several nursing homes to visit the residents. Tara has three adult goats and a tribe of baby goats. “Goat yoga really is a thing, it’s therapeutic, and when these small goats jump on participants’ backs or rub noses, lifted spirits and huge smiles are the results.”
To add to the goat theme, Tara sells a line of artisan, handmade goat soap and dough bowl candles, all made locally in Yemassee, S,C.
Despite her tragic loss, Tara gives back, gives all the glory to God, and is thankful for her family, friends, and all the opportunities that have come into her life.
Up Close:
- Jayne (Tara’s daughter) became a yoga teacher and encouraged her mother to join her class. Eventually, Tara took over Jayne’s classes as needed and later started her own business.
- Tara traveled to Aiken, S.C., to get a horse. She came home with a horse and a baby goat that the seller gave her. Then her sister, Raven, who breeds goats, gave her a second goat. The goats are Nigerian dwarf goats.
- Check out Tara’s business “Yoga Poses & Goat Noses” on Facebook to see photos and videos. Soooo cute!