Sunday Night With John: Sharing is Caring

Sharing is Caring

John Paul Derryberry

My sister was my high school teacher, and about the only one, I didn't challenge to a battle of willpower during my teens.  This is what happens when your sibling is ten years older than you; she will always be in different phases of life than me. She has a kid graduating high school this summer, and I have a wonderful dog that goes hiking with me.  People often gasp and then chuckle when they find out our high school situation. The follow-up question is what did you call her, and the answer is I never called her anything other than Crystal. I'm not calling my sister Mrs. anything. She will always and forever be big sis or Crystal. And boy did she nail the job of big sister pretty well. 

She was the first one I ever told the idea of suicide was in my head as a teen. She also ratted me out to mom, even though I begged her not to. Teen John hated her for that; adult John knows she made the best decision for me. In adulthood without fail week in and week out, she does the most uncomplicated and most delightful thing to let me know she still has my back all these years later. Big Sis hits share on my Sunday Night With John Blog. She doesn't always agree with what the theme I have written about, yet she propels her little brother into a bigger audience. 

My sister's actions are indicative of how my message has grown all these years. I have never had a catchy slogan or a big appeal. What I have built is through the dedication to tackling difficult topics with a sense of passion and commitment to make my corner of the world better.  From that passion, a group of growing people who may not also agree with what I say but believe I tackle issues with sincerity, honesty, and curiosity have passed my name along to another person, who in returns passes it along to another person. The biggest smile I get in the speaking realm is when I ask where did you hear about me and they say, oh so and so shared your name with me because they loved how you worked with their group. 

This is the trait I admire most about my sister, never flashy, always diligently doing the right thing for the people she cares about the most. Never asking for a big party or thanks, just constantly putting her energy into loving the people around here. She shared this quality with me years ago, and it was a big part in saving me. Now she shares my message in the hopes it will have the propel others toward a better tomorrow.  

So I forge ahead sharing my message with others, a little flashier than my sister would, full honesty a lot flashier than my sister would. I know she every Sunday she will hit the share button and every new guidance counselor at her school will get my information, and she will never request I thank her.  It's hokey, but its true-- sharing is caring, that's how my sister helped me grow, and now it's how I those in my orbit do the same.