written by Big Brother Jay

99 Bottles of Beer on the wall...

I had thought about becoming a Big Brother for quite some time. Being fortunate enough to have the influence of 2 uncles growing up I recognized the need and want of a positive roll model in a boy's life. Spring came and I made the step; shortly there after I was matched with Russel.

Russel was a favorite Little with the Big Brothers caseworkers. He was polite, eager, and very shy.

After a few outings together I grew concerned that we weren;t talking, and weren't laughing like the Bigs and Littles in the pictures and brochures. Then came a sun shining day and we brought the bikes out.

Russel followed me along the trails close to my house. Now and then I would look back to make sure he was there, make sure he was keeping up ok. When I looked back I could see that increasingly he was glowing with enjoyment.... then came the song. 99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall burst from the boy: ALL 99 Bottles taken down, and all passed around, , , , , the song takes about 25 minutes.

It was a great bike ride: the first of many. Russel and I are good buddies, it just took a bike ride and 99 verses.

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