“If a kid cannot bring out the true meaning of Christmas, ya gotta be in pretty bad shape.” @Evangelic_Diva
That quote comes directly from a Twitter friend and I just can’t stress how true it is. As with every holiday season I am reminded how lucky I am to have the close friends and family. I am also very thankful for my Little Sister, Cassandra. She’s 14 (almost 15), freshman at a college prep high school and just about the sweetest girl I have ever met. Believe me, I could go on for hours about all the things I admire about her and all the great things she has and will accomplish…but I won’t :) More importantly I feel that it’s important to tell people about my experience with my little Sis and how we got to where we are now.
It was about 3 years ago that I decided to join the program. I was working at my first “real world” job as a graphic designer, and I felt like something was missing. All of my life (thanks to Girl Scouts as well as my mom) I have volunteered. From reading to kids in the cancer unit at Lutheran General to making Christmas decorations with the seniors at Rainbow Hospice, I am no stranger to giving back (and to the heartbreak that goes along with it as well). I had to find something that with my schedule I’d be able to do and after much research I found the Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization. What appealed to me was that it’s not a rehabilitation program, it’s more of an assistance program. I’m not acting like a therapist or trying to change a kid. I’m simply there to help nurture and be a good role model to a kid who might not have one.
When I told people about me trying to get into the program, I was surprised about how many negative things people said; mostly about how long it takes to get a match. I wasn’t going anywhere and was in no hurry, so I gathered my references and signed up. After numerous interviews, plenty of questions and 10 months I was finally matched with Cassandra.
Fast forward to now (almost 2 years later)…we’re closer than I ever imagined. I’d like to think of our relationship as one that was meant to be. It hasn’t been the easiest thing, but it’s been very rewarding in so many ways. Being a “Big”/mentor is something that takes a lot of time, and lots of creativity. I’m lucky that my Little is just as easy to please and laid back as I am. Never did I think that sitting on my couch, eating pizza, watching a movie would be one of the highlights of our time together. This also proves what a lot of people miss while in the program. It’s not about the money or fancy things that you take your Little to do, it’s all about the time that you spend together. There have been times that we’ve been driving to an outing or over a meal that we’ve shared the most. It’s those moments that I truly believe that I was meant to do this. She’s no longer a “match” but my family and for that, I’m grateful.
So I guess to sum it up, it’s a wonderful program and I couldn’t be happier with the relationship that I’ve made with my Little. I’d also urge anyone who can put a child they initially don’t know before themselves to become a Big. It might seem like a lot of time to some, but really it’s just another member of your family you want to spend time with.
It’s one of the best decisions that I’ve ever made, and can’t image my life without my sister Cassandra. She makes me proud in every way...just sayin’ is all!
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