Big Brother Markus Perry

My little brother Satchel and I have been matched since August 2004. I remember being very enthusiastic about meeting him due to experiences with other volunteer organizations.  I was up for whatever challenges came my way … or so I thought.

When we initially met, Satchel was extremely shy and quiet.  Except for occasional one-word answers to my questions (of which I was running out quickly), Satchel would sit quietly when we attended events.  I realized this was a hurdle that we must swiftly overcome. Thus my early visits were frequent and lengthy. 

Seeing that he could trust me, Satchel warmed up and quickly came out of his shell. He is a fun kid who likes to read books and loves animals (especially his frog that lived somewhere in his room).  Satchel and I have attended many sporting events including basketball, football and even hockey.  I think our favorite (well at least my favorite) were football games!  Of all the events and things we've done, nothing was more exciting than when we started being friends.

Satchel trusts me.  There is no better feeling of completion.  I'm really glad that I answered the call when I was asked to be a mentor. 

Recently our relationship has faced some challenges due to health issues I face.  However, what is remarkable is that no matter how long our separation we remain close. We always greet and part ways with a hug or high five. Satchel means a lot to me. It has meant a lot to be a part of his life. I'd like to thank Big Brothers Big Sisters for bridging the gap between our young and young at heart.