I am a Big Sister.
Not only am I a big sister to my handsome, hilarious, and personable little brother, whom I love with the deepest of sisterly loves (that’s for another post), but I am also a Big Sister according to the highly respectable non-profit organization, Big Brother Big Sister.
In college, I was an active member of a volunteer organization that gave me oodles of opportunities to touch lives; there were literally service projects at my fingertips for any time slot I desired. Once I graduated, that changed. The service projects were no longer sitting on my doorstep; instead, I would have to search this wide world and find them myself. After a little researching and a lot of praying, I was led to Big Brother Big Sister, which is a beautiful organization that helps children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-on-one relationships with mentors. They match children ages 6 through 18 with people who are devoted to developing positive relationships that have direct and lasting impact on these little lives.
After going through the interview process, I was eventually matched with an eleven year old girl desperately in need of a good friend and positive influence in her life. That was over a year ago, and since then Natasha and I have shared countless excursions involving laser tag, roller skating, movie viewings, museum visits, sporting events, library afternoons, and holiday activities, among other adventures. While the time commitment is substantial and sometimes overwhelming, the results are more than worth it. Watching a child soak up your love, encouragement, and guidance is an incredible blessing like no other.
If you are interested in getting involved with something bigger than yourself and making a profound impact on somebody’s life, perhaps Big Brother Big Sister is for you. It is such a rewarding way to put life in perspective, reach beyond your bubble, and do something solely for the benefit of another. I encourage you to consider it, and I’d be happy to talk to you about my experience if you have any questions.
Mel Tales 