My Little Sister asked me during a recent visit at her school, "How old are you?" 

I told her to guess. Which by the way you shouldn’t do unless you are prepared for the unknown. 

"50?" 

I smiled. "More." 

"40?" 

"No." 

She thought hard and then said, "39." 

For a split second, I wanted to say, Yes! That’s right! But I told her the truth—"I’m 61." 

Her eyes widened in shock. Then, very slowly, as if realizing something quite unbelievable, she said, "You are almost 100." 

I have never considered myself almost 100. But when I do the math, I suppose I am as close to 100 as I am to her age. In her world, that makes perfect sense. In my world, it was a bit hard to swallow. 

It made me reflect on how our perspectives shift over time, shaped by experience and exposure. When I was 10, I probably thought the same way about someone in their 60s. We see the world through the lens of what we know, until life broadens that view. 

I remember the first time I saw someone wearing a hijab. It was unfamiliar to me, and I was curious but unsure whether I should look or ask questions. Now, seeing a woman in a hijab is an everyday reality. It’s simply part of the beautiful tapestry of our community, our program, and our world. What was once unfamiliar has become an ordinary and enriching part of my life. 

This isn’t just about culture or clothing—it’s about how we grow when we meet people with different experiences than our own. What we don’t know can seem unfamiliar at first, but when we open our hearts and minds, our world expands. 

That’s the essence of Big Brothers Big Sisters. It’s about connection. It’s about relationships that transcend differences—whether it’s age, background, or life experience. Every time we step outside of what we know, we give ourselves the opportunity to learn, to understand, and to embrace a richer, fuller life. There is great richness to having someone in your life very unlike you. I believe that we bridge different worlds together and that is where we grow and learn and love. Our Bigs and Littles and their families are very brave to welcome someone they don’t know, into their lives. 

So, no—I don’t feel almost 100. But I do feel lucky. Lucky to have experiences that have widened my world. Lucky to have a Little Sister who challenges my thinking. And lucky to be part of a network that believes in the power of relationships to change lives. 

Maybe if we all saw the world through the eyes of a child—full of curiosity —we’d discover just how much we have to gain from each other. 

PS - Please remind me never to ask my Little Sister to guess my weight.

With hope and gratitude,