In celebration of National Mentoring Month, I wanted to share a few photos, cards, and letters that I have received from my little sister over the years.  Dominique and I have been hermanas (sisters) through the Big Brother Big Sisters Hispanic Mentoring Program for over 5 years.  A few months into our match Dominique sent me this card for Halloween. It says,”You are the best sister I ever had in world.” As you can imagine, I treasure this card.

We talk to each other on the phone. We also  text, write letters, and send cards to each other between our visits. Check out this “Eye Love You” letter. Pretty awesome.

Last year we went to the Atlanta Ballet’s “Nutcracker.” This is a scrapbook page from my December Daily album from 2012. Dominique is as much a part of my family as my own daughter, my real sisters, or my nieces. Her pretty face is throughout my family photo albums just like the rest of mi familia. And my daughter and husband adore almost as much as I do. Elena first started saying “Dom-nic” about a year ago and now she can say, “Dom-ni-nique.”

And look at my “little” sister now. She’s not so little! She towers over me and it’s hard to believe she is only 12 years old–soon to be 13!

Gracias, Dominique, for making me laugh.

Gracias for keeping me informed about the latest trends like glitter Toms and One Direction.

Gracias for letting me see the world through your eyes.

Gracias for being brave, compassionate, and humble.

Gracias for not laughing too much when I  stumble through spanish.

Gracias for reminding me what is really importante, like family and friendship.

I live more than a Big life because of you.

—

It’s National Mentoring Month!  To learn more about becoming a mentor, visit Big Brothers Big Sisters.  If you are Latino, find out if your local chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters has a Hispanic Mentoring Program and visit Latino Bigs. If you want to know more about my mentoring experience, subscribe to my blog and follow me on Facebook.