When I was younger, I had a unique ability to befriend random strangers with a quick conversation and a smile. Looking back, I have no idea how I managed to do it. Well actually, it’s something that I have rarely seen in myself, only pointed out by the close people in my life. 

I have been told my personality represents that of a warm sun. Silly, right? That is what I thought too; however, the more I ruminated on it during my car ride home, the more I understood what that meant. 

Interactions never truly proved difficult for me. I befriended kids at campgrounds and others at random fast-food play areas. They all have something in common: I have been the first to reach out. Six-year-old me, somehow, had more socialization skills than I do now, and I find it somewhat embarrassing, mostly. 

That being said, working at my job, I have found no trouble talking with customers, and the few interviews I’ve done for The Central Trend have gone seamlessly with great conversation. Friends that have come into my life recently have also commented on my easygoing personality. 

Despite how much I worry and dwell, I somehow find a way to make people around me laugh or smile. While still on battery saving mode, my jokes and comments light up faces and invoke heartfelt giggles. 

Over the past few months before writing this column, comments on my likeness have really started to ramp up, leading me to believe that I’m making differences, big or small.

A single difference that changed me, and I will never forget it, was a nickname. This title was gifted to me by two separate people, both of whom very much have not forgotten me and made coming home from school that much more memorable. 

Little Sister Sunshine was the name my two bus drivers called out to me when I flew down the automobile stairs and up my driveway. I will never forget the way I would always smile at myself when they called me that. Just like a cartoon, I can imagine beaming back to them, responding to their goodbye with “See ya’ tomorrow, Big Sister Sunshine.”

I remember asking why she first called me that, she only smiled and told me I reminded her of the sun, warm and bright, ever-burning with energy. That explanation strikes me just as hard, now, as it did years ago. 

The second having known the first, also claimed me by the nickname, allowing for another year’s worth of shinning greetings and farewells to exist. 

I have another friend that dubs me Mickey, unaware of the confusion she causes when no other person calls me that. She has yet to tell me why exactly she decided I was a ‘Mickey,’ but it stuck so well that the nickname is part of me and gets called out at the beginning of every sixth hour she enters. 

Other people who call me this know a new side of me, ultimately different from what I was just three years ago. Mickey represents the mature, cool, calm, and argument-diffuser junior that sits at a table with freshmen and sophomores. 

One thing that stays, however, is that I can still smile and effectively make others as well. They enjoy me, and that brings me pure unbridled happiness that bubbles in the form of me being able to stay together for others when they need me most. 

Many friends of mine have hit moments where light is faded and the path is invisible but I can illuminate the way, with a brilliant blazing ray that chases away the dark. Sur,e I can also blind them, but at least they know I try. 

I hope to live my life, knowing full well that I may not reach my goals, but I can help others see theirs, becoming the sunshine to their lives. 

For what it’s worth, I don’t mind the way Big Sister Sunshine sounds—has a nice twinkle to it.