Advice from Others

I have a little sister... Not a biological one, but one through the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program. Her name is Zoe and she is amazing! She is 10, in the fifth grade, and smarter and better at playing instruments than me.
Zoe is a really mature kid. She loves community service, wants to be a vegetarian ("as soon as she turns 16"), and writes poetry and thinks about things I never dreamed of when I was a kid.
I think I am good for Zoe in the fact that I act pretty strange and goofy most of the time and it
reminds her that you never really grow up (I am a firm believer in always acting like a kid).
I think Zoe is good for me in the fact that she always tells me when my clothes are not fashionable, too dull, or just aren't that cute.
We spend about 2 hours / week with each other... Our time together varies from cooking meals, going for bike rides, hiking, scrapbooking, walking around town and drinking lattes and steamers, shopping, playing with our dogs, swimming, riding horses... sleepovers. We have done quite a little in the 14 months that we have been "matched."
On Monday, we got a unique opportunity to be part of a community interview series. There are some very forward thinking folks in town who want to open the communication lines and start discussing the values and commonalities that the people in the community have. Their thought is that eventually, with enough positive communication going on, that when "issues" arise or there is a need to come together, that the young, old, right wing, left wing, aliens, and dogs, and cats can have a foundation to stand on and communicate!
I think it is a grand idea and when Zoe and I were called to do an interview we jumped at the chance. Now, how many 10 year olds do you know that have the nerve, skill, or motivation to sit at a table with a complete stranger (an adult) and ask her questions like "do you feel you have a life's purpose, and if so, what is it and when did you know you had one?"
Well, Zoe, my little Diane Sawyer in the making, did just that with a leader of a large church in our County. These pics are of the rockstar and our really cool experience.
Now, I was there for moral support and to coach Zoe prior to the interview - she did ALL the talking and interviewing.
Mentoring works folks - get involved in a kids life and change the world... (and yours).

Also, Meg, as you requested, here is a picture of the horns up and on it's side... I like it. AND, another pic of a poster in my house which I love... It reminds me of my girlfriends and all the fun that life can be... :)