30 Years of Friendship 

Editors note: Shaeron tragically passed away shortly after this story was written. BBBS would like to send our sincerest condolences to the families. She embodied everything a Big Sister should be and more. Her life was dedicated to helping others and her selfless efforts will not be forgotten.

30 years ago a friendship was formed that put laughter back into the life of a child. A young girl named Terri met her Big Sister, Shaeron, when she was 14 and the two have proved throughout all this time that their love and friendship can withstand any challenge.

Shaeron had moved to Wyoming to go to college and found herself not knowing many people and surprisingly lonely. “I had always been told that whenever you are feeling bad, do something good for someone else,” Shaeron said. She reasoned that the best way to do something good while still having fun would be to become a Big Sister.
Terri described herself as a different person before she was matched and Shaeron had an influence on her. She was rebellious and “a wild child” who liked drama mixed in with an element of danger.  She had made some wrong choices in her teenage years and she described her home life as “serious”. Shaeron said, “When I met Terri, I saw a girl that had never been taught how to play. She didn’t realize that she could have an incredible time while being safe and using her imagination. She had no idea how free she truly was.”

Terri was enrolled in the program hoping that she would have someone to interact with that could show her good life choices and bring her out of her shell. Shaeron was the perfect person for the job. “She was outgoing and friendly,” Terri recalled, “From the first time we connected she always had me laughing.” 

From the start Shaeron gave Terri the nickname “Kermi”- after Kermit the Frog. Shaeron thought it fit Terri perfectly because they both were undaunted survivors. Kermit always had problems (especially from Miss Piggy) but always came out on top. Shaeron saw these same traits come out in Terri as their friendship progressed. Through illness, rough circumstances, and the consequences of bad teenage decisions, Terri persevered and Shaeron was there for her every step of the way. Shaeron recalled, “Terri became a warrior advocate for herself during that time. She just had these amazing internal strengths and learned to recognize them and truly love the person that she was.” Shaeron broke through Terri’s rough exterior and found the amazing young lady that was dying to come out.

 Looking back Terri said that her favorite activity as a match was a trip to Denver to an amusement park. “I was very sheltered living in Wyoming. Being in Denver with Shaeron showed me that the world was much bigger than my present situation. We spent the whole day laughing and having the best time possible. We stayed with her friend and to this day I vividly remember waking up the next morning and eating delicious pancakes on her porch surrounded by this breathtaking view of the mountains. I still think about it whenever I have pancakes and remember all of the laughter we had on that trip. It was truly one of the best times in my entire life.”

In the 30 years that passed, Terri grew up and Shaeron moved away and yet they still remain incredibly close. Shaeron now lives in the San Francisco area and Terri has a family of her own.  The two continue to make many more great memories visiting back and forth and talking on the phone. Terri recently made a trip when Shaeron’s mother passed away.  Terri reasoned that she wanted to help her Big Sister through such a difficult time just as Shaeron had been there for her in all those times in the past. Shaeron stated that “Terri was by my side through the whole affair and it made me realize that I couldn’t have had a better Little Sister. We truly are family.”

The impact that this relationship has had on both ladies has spanned 30 years and is truly amazing. Shaeron continues to help others as an education therapist and Terri lives in Laramie and continues to be what Shaeron describes as “ an anchor of strength for everyone around her” and is deeply devoted to her growing family.