Reunion

Many years ago I was a mentor with the Big Brother Big Sister program.  Ivana was my little sister.  We were matched up when she was 10 years old.  We met weekly and had lots of fun getting to know each other.  She was a cute outgoing little girl who just needed a little extra guidance.  She loved playing basketball and would laugh at my skills or lack of skills.  I would go to her games and she would tease me because I would clap when everyone else was clapping.  She knew I did not know much about the game but that did not matter.  I was just there to support her.  She has a great mom but her dad was murdered when she was a baby.  So you can only imagine that she has a whole in her heart from not knowing her father.  

Over the past several years we have not seen each other for various reasons.  The last time I saw her was right after Bailey was born.  The other night we had a chance to catch up.  She came over for dinner and we had  wonderful visit.  She is 19 years old and is about to start St. Augustine College.  We laughed about old times and days at camp.  Bailey enjoyed looking at pictures of us when Ivana was a little girl.   So it was a wonderful time to see how she has grown up even in difficult circumstances.  

Here are a few pics of Ivana wit the kids.  They really enjoyed playing with her.