Chuck E Cheese & The US Army

Oh. My. Goodness. The last 24 hours has been insane. It's one of those weeks where I kind of wish I was Super Woman. I have a bazillion and a half things going on. I constantly feel like I'm losing my mind or forgetting something. Anyway, I was able to slow down enough last night to spend time with my new little brother. I recently started volunteering with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization and I couldn't be more thrilled. Or terrified. Depends on the day. I love love love volunteering. I've done my share of serving at soup kitchens over the years. And I spent this past Thanksgiving in a nursing home (I was for some crazy reason put in the "feeding room"...oh man, that's another story for another day). I've always wanted to venture into the BBBS program, but was always hesitant of the commitment. A whole year...6-8 hours a month...how can I possibly pull this off? I came to the realization that this amazing life I've been given needs to be shared. I have been selfish for long enough. I started out with a little sister in mind. I mean, hello!? I am a girl! I just assumed I'd get paired with a sweet little girl who loves spa days and shopping. HA! God has a unique sense of humor. I was blessed with a little brother who is 6 years old. He's ALL BOY. OMG. I'm talking football, video games, days at the park, soccer...pretty much anything that requires me stepping out of my comfort zone and into a pair of tennis shoes. We had our first "outing" last night and I graciously allowed him to pick the poison. Annnnd of course he picks Chuck E Cheese. C'mon...really, kid?! Can't we start with something easy?? Like, I don't know...the ice cream shop or something? Nope. I get baptized into being a mommy-for-two-hours with the most hideous place on planet earth. Seriously. The pizza they serve should be featured on "kitchen nightmares"...the salad bar had lettuce that was grown in the 18th century and don't even get me started on the anamatronic rat that makes an appearance every 15 minutes and sings Miley Cyrus music and actually has eyes that move. I swear that damn thing was staring at me everytime he came out to perform. Sick. But, all that aside, I put my whole heart into the evening. I played every game. I even took my shoes off and got in some life-sized hamster wheel thing-a-ma-jig that you have to run in. Ridiculous. Needless to say though, it was a fun experience. I went as far as to throw on gym clothes, hair in a pony tail and wait for it...yes! Tennis shoes. I deserve serious brownie points. So, all joking aside..this kid has already melted my heart. He is cute as a button. I'm sure he'd hate me saying that. He's a tough little cookie. He got in my car and immediately told me to turn the country music off and to put it on the rap station. Ummm?? Is that responsible of me?? I mean, these songs are constantly spouting off words that would give my Grandma a heart attack. After some hesitation, I changed my radio to rap and turned the volume on low. As I'm driving, I hear a little voice in the back singing. This kid was rapping along to Lil Wayne. Apparently I'm not the only irresponsible adult in his life if he knows the words to "Black and Yellow." DANG. As we're driving home, he asks me a very intense question for a 6 year old. "If you had a magic pebble that could give you one wish, what would you wish for?" I'm sorry--come again?? Aren't you 6? This question caught me so off guard that I pulled the classic cop out. "Hmmm. You go first. What would you wish for?" His answer literally caused me to put my foot on the brake in the middle of traffic. "I'd wish for everyone in the world to just get along." Cue the sappy music, people. I almost cried. All I could muster was, "Wow. That's an awesome wish. Can I wish for the same thing?" The whole world peace thing hit me hard. Couldn't have come at a more relevant time. My oldest brother deployed for his 6th time since 2003 today. He'll be gone for a year...again. Each time, I think it will be easier to say goodbye. If anything though, it gets more difficult as I get older. I guess because I'm more aware of the danger he's stepping in front of and the risks he's going to take on a daily basis. Tough stuff. I was able to talk to him last night before I went to bed and in the midst of the tears, we had a few laughs. To call him my hero doesn't even come close to how I feel. I'm unbelievably blessed to call him my brother and if you're the praying kind, do him a favor. Send some prayers to the Big Man Upstairs. Pray for safety and encouragement. Pray for his family as they remain in Hawaii without him. There are so many things you can give a soldier, but prayer is the most meaningful...so, send 'em up ya'll. xo.