You've Got a Friend in Me

“You’re bigger than me, but you’re my friend”. 

For the last two years, I have had the utmost joy of being a support worker for a gorgeous little boy in a wonderful family. I have watched him grow and develop and acquire new skills and milestones between finishing kinder and starting school. I have watched him learn and explore feelings and emotions and make sense of our chaotic and crazy world. I have been a part of his changing interests, from superheroes and dinosaurs to Captain Underpants and Ben 10. I have watched the way his older brothers engage so beautifully with him and make him laugh. And of course, I have also been embraced by the family cat and newest addition – the dog! 

Our hours together were filled with play. Constructive play through building blocks and me watching him become a serious Lego master while I was the trusty assistant. Imaginative play with toys and dress ups. Active play through exploring many parks, bouncing on trampolines, swimming and kid yoga. Sensory play through squishy toys, Play-Doh and magic sand. And play through excursions to the museum, play centre and even a pony ride!

I also had the privilege of being able to accompany him to OT sessions and incorporate my growing body of knowledge into our play time, as I completed my OT studies. We found our groove and I truly felt part of his routine. 

But as all good things must come to an end, I learnt that his family was moving interstate. I was devastated, so much so that I went home and I cried. Why? Because he is my best friend. 

How do we measure friendship? Trust. Shared interests. Laughter and joy. Quality time. All of which were so evidently present in our relationship, and none of which are confined to two people being the same age. 

Our lives will carry on, we will both continue to grow, but he will always have a friend in me.

Photo permission obtained