Archive
What kids and shopping have in common
It could be argued there are many things kids and shopping have in common, but the one that’s pertinent to this post is:
I used to dislike both these things. A lot.
In my very first guest blog entry ever, the posting of which I’m celebrating formally with crumpets and tea*, I describe what changed and why. If you’ve read TMiYC for a few months, you probably suspect it relates to the picture I posted in the entry “The myth of perfect people.”
You might be wrong. But you might not be! You’ll have to mosey over to Cookie’s Chronicles, blog home to the lovely Sue (a.k.a. “Cookie’s Mom”), to find out.
Without further ado, I present to you:
Mother, Child, Mother
* Yeah, I thought you’d see right through that. In the real world, I had to turn all my focus toward not running around shouting, “OMGyouguysmyfirstguestblogentryisliveyayyayyayyaywowwhee!”
Sisters, yes, but not by blood (part 2/Amelia)
A week and a half ago, I recounted in this entry the amazing, ongoing impact being both a Little and a Big through Big Brothers Big Sisters has had on my life. Today, my first Little Sister shares her experiences with this phenomenal program. Both of us urge you to consider joining this program, the benefits of which will likely extend–for both Big and Little!–well beyond its one-year commitment.
* * *
Amelia & Deb: sisters now & forever!
I often see a confused face when I mention my sister Deb. I try to describe her as a mentor but that just doesn’t quite do her justice. Hopefully if any of my friends read this they will finally know who I’m talking about when I tell them I’m going to visit my sis for a week.
I remember the day I realized I wanted/needed a big sister. I watched as my (biological) older sister left for a visit with who I understood to be her mentor or “big sister.” After she left I remember asking my mom if I could have a mentor too. I recall thinking something to the effect of “if my sister is under that lady’s wing then whose wing am I gonna be under?” This was the first time it occurred to me that you could in some sense adopt a sister. I think I was 9 years old when Deb and I were paired together through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. My visits with Deb were a very positive outlet for me; they always gave me something to look forward to.
As Deb mentioned, we had many trips to the sub shop. (I still get peppermint fro-yo with gummy bears when I go.) Sometimes I would come along and watch her martial arts class at the Dojo. Other times we’d watch movies, or go sit at the fountain on campus. She’d let me tag along with her and her friends (which she also still does now). She took me to watch my first basketball game AND my first baseball game. She made me a mix tape full of songs front and back; a few of my favorites were Wild World and Forever Young. My writing abilities don’t allow me to do these memories much justice but my heart is full thinking about them. 
At some point along the timeline Deb moved away to Korea. We kept in touch for a while, and then fell out of touch, as people often do as time goes on. But thankfully I ran into her sister at the Lane County Fair and we were reunited years later when I was a teen! Seeing Deb for the first time in a long time was a great feeling, despite how much time had passed, we were still at our cores very much the same. It was that great feeling of seeing an old friend and instantly feeling at home.
I am now 21 years old and still blessed with this wonderful sister and friend. Little did I know when I was 9 that at 19 I’d be flying in an airplane for my first time to visit her in Los Angeles! I enjoy as much as ever our heartfelt conversations about our lives and life in general. I am enjoying an ever deepening friendship with my big sister . . . and now that I’m writing this I realize I will mostly likely soon become a big sister myself . . .
Recent Posts I Dug
