So I signed on to this program at work to be a mentor to a fourth- or fifth-grader at a local elementary school, and we had an orientation lunch today. I'd sort of off-handedly decided to do it because someone recommended me for this program and I'd like to volunteer in some capacity (i.e., attempt to better the world in some tangible way rather than just feel guilty about never attempting to better the world in some tangible way) -- and I've finally arrived at a time when I have enough flexibility in my hours that I can leave for an hour in the middle of the day. Perfect.

But as we were crouching on kid-sized plastic chairs eating pizza, the guidance counselor started describing what we'd be doing and it hit me: This is going to be a big deal. Apparantly the kids they choose for this program are the ones who need an "adult friend," not necessarily the ones who need the most help academically or emotionally. Over 50 percent of the schools' students are on free or reduced lunch programs... I forget what diplomatic turn of phrase the guidance counselor used, but basically they need a person in their lives who will be a good role model blah blah, but most of all, who will be stable. People who will always show up when they said they would.

That just struck me as something so elemental, something it's so sad anyone should need so badly that some random adult who shows up for an hour a week is going to be able to provide it better than the other people in their lives. And obviously I know not everyone had this as a child, or has it as an adult -- but it's different to be confronted with it like "they need someone consistent in their lives, and now it's YOU." Doesn't sound so profound now, but at the time it felt like a big wake-up call.