A Winning Essay Brings a Big Adventure for Big Sister Dana
and Little Brother Latrell!
written by Big Sister Dana St. Germaine
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Almost two years ago, I met my Little Brother, 8-year-old Latrell. Together, we have done many things that were firsts for both of us, but nothing prepared us for our trip to Houston in July.
The essay I wrote for the contest explained how this opportunity would expose Latrell to a world outside of Fort Worth. What I didn’t know was how it would expose me to the many things in our world that Latrell hasn’t seen, and to what a significant role I play in his life.
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In preparation for the trip, we read books about Buzz Aldrin, talked about TSA, talked about NASA, and even stranger danger. But, it was the little things on the trip that threw us the biggest curve balls.
I thought that his first flight and first visit to a city other than Fort Worth would have the greatest impact on Latrell. But, when he asked if, at 30,000 feet, we were moving or the clouds were moving… I knew we were in for an adventure. When questions like these hit me all day long, it really opened my eyes to his world and how much this trip would change both of us.
When we touched down at Hobby Airport, Latrell thought we were back at Love Field. He was ecstatic when he boarded his first tour bus! He had never seen TVs inside a bus before! That excitement only grew at the Johnson Space Center when he realized the magnitude of our universe.
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Lunch at Babin’s in Kemah also brought forth a barrage of firsts…his first crab cake, first peel-and-eat shrimp, first stingray, first calamari, and first crab and spinach dip. At the end of the meal he asked for a napkin. I pointed out the linen napkins we had placed in our laps at the start of the meal and then wiped my hands on mine. The look on his face made me realize that he had never eaten at a restaurant with linen napkins.
We then headed out to the Gulf of Mexico for a boat ride. Covered in salt water by the time we docked, his first words to me were, “That water was nasty, why does it taste so nasty?” I had not considered that he had never encountered salt water. I then explained the difference between the water in Fort Worth and the water in the ocean.
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After dinner, we headed back to Dallas on Southwest Airlines. During the flight, we reflected on the day. I thought he would talk about the plane and the ocean, but the little things enamored him the most. Latrell enjoyed the new variety of food, the other children, and the volunteers more than everything else.
The trip was amazing and changed both of our perspectives about each other and the world. I now realize that impacting Latrell is more about the small moments and details. He learned that the world and universe is huge and limited only by imagination. He learned that he loves fried shrimp and that the peel-n-eat shrimp is too much work! I learned to never overlook small details that may be very important. And, I was reminded what a blessing it is to have the opportunity to be Latrell’s mentor and friend.
Special thanks to Southwest Airlines and The Texas Rangers Foundation for selecting Big Brothers Big Sisters as the recipient of this years adventure!
 
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