The Story of Araina and Laura
Araina is a friendly, kind hearted, energetic, emotionally fragile little girl for whom I am both happy and proud to be her mentor. While only eight, Araina has seen a lifetime of hurt, disappointment and worry.
More than anything, Araina wants a traditional family - With a mom, dad and siblings who are all living together. Unfortunately, for Araina these are not her circumstances and her family has been, is and will likely continue to be, broken apart. Despite help from other family members Araina has been forced, at her young age, to learn how to navigate the world somewhat alone. Rather than being able to focus on the fun and frolic of an average 8 year old, Araina is consumed with issues like a substance abuse, absentee parents, visitation issues, and the housing concerns of her guardian. The scenes of her life read more like a television drama or LifeTime movie than those of a third grader. As a result, her emotional foundation has been shaken, rattled, and cracked a bit making it so very hard for her to believe or trust anyone – Disappointment comes far too easily to this little one.
What I love about Araina is that despite her circumstances, her hurt, her disappointment, she still has a huge heart, will risk opening it, and just wants to be loved. She is a cuddly, bubbly, wildly energetic child full of wonder, curiosity and excitement. It is impossible not to fall in love with her.
My husband and I have accompanied Araina to her school for “A night with Santa” event. For Christmas Araina and I had a very special outing – We went to Babyland General at the Cabbage Patch Doll Hospital. After a wonderful morning of touring the site, Araina adopted an adorable Cabbage Patch child (doll) which she named Ashley Hope. Then we all went to the Barron York tea room for high tea. It a special was a day that filled us both with smiles and memories. Of course we can’t do that every day, so you may wonder what else Araina and I do together. For me Mentoring is about doing fun things, normal things, and even doing nothing. It is often a family affair because my husband and college age son are an integral part of my life they often join in or wander through my visits with Araina. We enjoy cooking and eating family dinners together. We go out to dinner and explore pizza joints and Chinese eateries, which always include the fun challenge of who can eat with chopsticks. We play Wii, indoor arcade basketball or fooseball. Araina and I also enjoy going to the movies, playing Barbie dress up on the computer, working on school projects, reading together, practicing her times tables, washing the dog, or just sitting on the couch “veggin” together. We also love crafts and have made birdhouses, greeting cards and are currently working on a scrapbook. While I joined MentorMe to give back and to help children in need, I have found many benefits in return. It makes me feel younger, it keeps me active, it fills an empty nester void I didn’t even realize I had; and when my head hits the pillow after a day with my Mentee, it provides a feeling of sweet satisfaction mixed with a yearning to do even more next visit. I love that my grown child witnesses my efforts and sees his mother in action from his adult perspective, jogging memories of his childhood, while ever enforcing the importance volunteerism and supporting others in need. I also love the way my parents and husband brag Mentoring too – While I don’t do this for recognition, it does feel good to have someone recognize your efforts. I’ve been with MentorMe for several years now, working in my own small way to hopefully help give back to the world by helping to positively influence a child one a day at a time. I have been blessed to have the opportunity to have three previous Mentees, but cursed that their families have moved away. I hope Araina is here to stay but even if she isn’t, I won’t give up mentoring because I know that Carolyn (my MentorMe case manager) will have another child in need lined up for me in no time!
A Letter From Colin...
