Providing I indeed have any regular readers, thank you! I’m certain if we knew one another personally, we’d be great friends. And to those who may be, you have read me lament the aging of my stepchildren, of whom I am their primary caretaker and have been for 10 years.

Perhaps the saddest part is seeing the big yellow take-them-away-from-me bus drive away. And after potty training and chasing and nightmares and chasing monsters from their closet, did I get an over-the-shoulder the glance and a goodbye wave? Obviously not or I wouldn’t or I wouldn’t sound so bitter.

In a recent column, I suggested working or volunteering for the school. This would keep us closer to our children and, calling it what it is, allow us to keep an eye on them. And I stand by that suggestion. Especially as it would help the community as our schools are in sore need of help both paid and unpaid.

But the tragic truth we have to face like our kitchen sinks after a big dinner is, eventually, is that it’s a parent’s job to prepare our children for the world. And we don’t do that by hanging on like barnacles to an anchor — or being the anchor itself. We teach them the best we can: be responsible, be safe, help those in need, and always hit the clearance racks first when shopping…among other things, of course. Then, we gradually give them the independence they crave and deserve along with responsibilities until they don’t need us anymore.

But we still need to be needed.

The good news is — we are. Big Brothers and Sisters is an organization that was established in 1904. The intent was to pair disadvantaged children, almost all of them from single-parent households, with older mentors. These mentors are meant to serve as positive, encouraging, role models who teach children to pursue their dreams. This is difficult to do in a home where one parent has all the load he or she can bear to keep the wolves from the door and food on the table.

This is not a large commitment. The mentor spends three to five hours a month with his little brother or sister engaging in free or low cost activities. The point is to teach them the same morals and values we teach our own children. And by example, to instill in them sense of community, of being part of something greater than they. However, though the investment seems small. Often the returns are great, are great. Life-long friendships are formed. Such is the case with Tammey and Ashley.

At the tender age of 11, Ashley was informed by her father over the telephone that he and her mother were getting a divorce. Her mother saw the pain her daughter was going through. She also knew children that age do not often confide their deepest feelings to their parents, and she was overwhelmed with the responsibilities that come with a newly broken family. She decided to enroll Tammy in Big Brothers and Sisters.

Ashley was paired with Tammey, who by happy coincidence worked at Ashley’s school. Though Tammey had a job and family of her own, she selflessly gave what little time she had left to Big Brothers and Sisters Organization. Ashley was understandably hesitant at first. But she could not help but warming not only to Tammy but her entire family. She was even in the hospital to hold Tammey’s second son when he was born. That was in 1987.

Throughout the years, time and employment have taken Ashley throughout the country. But both she and Tammey still keep in touch. In fact, they say the distance has not hindered their relationship. It has only made it stronger. Again: small investment, great return, and that is putting it mildly.

To become a Big Brother or Sister, one must submit to a background check, a personal interview, provide references unless he or she is unemployed then an extra reference, be able to provide proof in stability and workplace, commit to the program for one year, and bring a day planner to personal inter. To get in contact is to go to their website, www.bbs.org.

There is a basic form to fill out, and Nina will get back to you within 24 to 48 hours. Seems like they need volunteers. Maybe as much as a mom with much to give needs someone to whom to give it.