February 01, 2006
Wednesday

Ketchikan, Alaska - When I first met my "Little Brother" Tyler, he had a new step-dad. Tyler was always feeling a bit uneasy about his step-dad coming back from his long and frequent trips. Early in our friendship, I learned that Tyler's stepfather built plastic models for a hobby, but Tyler was afraid to ask to build one; he felt he was too clumsy.

Together, we worked on building a scale model of a tugboat, which Tyler decided to name the Barbara T, after his mother. Just in Time for Christmas, we wrapped it as a present for his stepfather. We worked on many other models throughout the year, all of which he took home to show his step-dad. Throughout, he became more confident and over time, less anxious about his step-dad. After summer vacation, Tyler told me that he and his step-dad had started building models together.

Shortly after Tyler had finished writing a new story in October, as usual, I offered to help correct his spelling and grammar. Tyler told me no, he was going to work on this one with his step-dad.

It was then that I felt a tremendous sense of accomplishment and knew what being a "Big Brother" was all about.

On behalf of all our "Bigs" and "Littles," thank you for helping us to bring more Little Moments and Big Magic into the lives of youth across Southeast Alaska in 2006.

Sound like Fun? Join the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. "Bigs" in the Ketchikan Program meet with their "Littles" two to four times a month and they do whatever interests both of them. Call 907-247-3350.

On the Web:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Alaska
http://www.southeastbigs.org/

 

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Ketchikan, Alaska