June 30, 2006
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Mentor
In some way I managed to bring a few mentors into my life at an early age. These mentors were strong in my particular career field. So I developed friendships with these mentors and learned from them constantly. I would open myself up and allow them to give me input on how I could do my very best. While others would get on the defensive, I was convinced that they had the ability to make me better and stronger.
One of those mentors died earlier this week. He has his funeral tomorrow. I walked into the hospital to see him shortly before he passed away. He talked to me for a while and even up to his last moment was giving me some of the best advice I could receive.
I was sad and surprised to hear of his passing. I am not sure why I was surprised. But I knew a great man had just passed from this Earth.
Comments (104)
First…amazing.
That’s horrible.
….but maybe not.
Have you seen the movie or read the book, “Tuesdays With Morrie”? It’s very touching. I always wished I had a mentor, but never found one. I probably would have been too stubborn to take advice, anyway. At my age now I try to mentor younger people, but pretty much all I can tell them is what NOT to do.
I’m sorry he’s gone…
But I know he passed a lot of knowledge on to at least one person,
and that’s quite an accomplishment.
Mhmm. . . .
:[
wow, up so late …
Reminds me this body is mortal and that immortal wisdom is passed along by timeless souls that are connected to great truth.
i love mentors
People like that are almost magical. Always take his advice with you.
That is a powerful moment.
That’s cool that you had mentors. That must explain why you’re so smart!
Perhaps you were surprised because you thought such a great man who had given you so much must be immortal.
In this moment, I envy you.
Weird. What’s up with people.
RYC: You were wise.
I think that man made you great.
I’m sorry to hear that. You’ll be in my prayers.
i’m sorry to hear that too.
and i have read “Tuesdays with Morrie” too, (it made me cry.)
i know a man some might consider great who died today. i did not think of him as great, but i still respected him.
anyway, my sympathies go to you.
tuesdays with morrie did not have a profound effect on me. i guess because i never had a teacher that influenced me like that.
I woke up at 2:34 with thoughts of writing my father. He lives 17 hours away. I know very little about him and my kids know nothing about their heritage. The tragedy of poor family dynamics. My kids have never seen my hometown and may never get the chance. So, I am in the process of assigning my father to a treasure hunt – pictures of the old house, my schools, my mentors (linking the relevence to your post), my old stomping grounds, first job, etc. It is amazing that as I write how many things of my past have been torn down and rebuilt as something else. I am also assigning him to the task of a “directed biography” – me asking him specific questions. He is in his seventies and this storehouse of memories can leave at anytime and no way to retrieve them.
I am so sorry for your loss.
That’s sad…
Oh Dan,
I’m so very sorry. Sounds like the world lost a true treasure.
Candy
Dan, I’m sorry. Lossing those who act as our guides is a very lonely thing. Hang in there.
Awww, thats sad.. I am sorry.
JD Coleman
i’m sorry for your loss, but it seems you gained alot from your friendship.
he will go on.
I am sorry you lost a friend and mentor. This just made me realize that I will lose some of mine someday. Not that I did not already know that, but a feeling similar to yor surprise.
i’m so sorry to hear that dan….
vy the way dan, just wanted to let you know i linked you today….
Thats sad
I’m sorry to hear that… condolences to you and his family.
“no one is truly dead as long as they are remembered by someone.”
You know what they say…sometimes the best have to die so the others will realize how great they were….
Or maybe they didn’t say that and I’m insane…
Ah. Reminds me of how I felt when Marlon Brando passed. And that day is tomorrow, two years ago.
I’m sorry to hear that, but by the way you’ve talked of him, he’ll live forever.
i am sorry for your loss.
I suppose you can now be a mentor, share the wisdom.
Oh yeah, and don’t tell us what the advice was, or anything…sheesh.
I’m sorry for your loss.
A kindred spirit …. a real connection between two people …. now, that’s what I call…. LOVE.
My deepest sympathy at your time of grief.
Kindred spirits! …… two persons connected by common interests, desires and respect ……. that’s what I call …. LOVE !
My deepest sympathy in your hour of grief.
We all have our time here on this planet. The true test will be how well we are remembered in the minds of those we have left behind. And what lessons; inspirations we have given to others while we were here.
MY SYMPATHY GOES OUT TO YOU. IF I PRAYED, I SAY ONE FOR THE BOTH OF YOU.
Wow someone had a lot of time on their hands.
He didn’t even post a question this time, you idiots!!! Leave him alone!!!!
Tuesdays with Morrie was a very impressive book. May we all be motivated to live our lives giving others the opportunity to learn from us.
Sorry for your loss Dan.
I’m sorry to hear of your loss. There’s nothing like having someone to look up to and learn from. But he will live on through you and everyone else he touched.
My condolences.
I’m sorry for your loss. That person spamming you is very rude and inconsiderate to be such an ass any time, but to spam at a time like this is deplorable. I highly doubt that person is a ‘grandmother of 7′ and a ‘good person’. They are just jealous. How can they complain about featured content? You get hundreds of comments a post, so people must like something.
It is sad, indeed. But rejoice brother, he’s in a better place now, with better company.
Now, what was that advice he gave you?
Im sorry for the loss of a great man that you had known, may you remember all the good times you had.
Those are the times in life that mean something. Those are the times that stick with you forever. Beautiful and powerful
sorry to hear about your loss, and please don’t be discouraged by all those that don’t approve of the cafe. I have only been on xanga about a month and I don’t agree with some of the content but most of it is great and make you think. Others are just silly but I subscribed and check ya everyday. Keep on doin whatcha doin, Dan!!
In many ways, our mentors and “heros” are made immortal in our minds and hearts. As cliche as this sounds, my mom is my hero. Always has bee, always will be. She also has a bad leg and falls often. She’s in her 50′s now and is striving to take care of herself, and aside from some extra weight and her bad leg, she’s very healthy. But each time she falls, it reminds me that she will not always be there. She may always be with me, just not in the flesh. In a way i have immortalized her. I don’t think i will ever get over the shock the day she dies. I have always dreaded it.
Perhaps that is why you were surprised. He wasn’t mmortal, and was a man like you.
somehow i believe i will have a chance to meet you all in heaven and there will be a great reunion.
until then……..
I am truly sorry for your lost.
Ignore the spammers – they obviously have no hearts.
i saw a comment or two or three from “barf” someone or other. went to their site to see what you had said that was so horrible.
nothing there.
looks like “she” chose her name well, just spew.
“if you’re going to spew, spew into THIS”
such rude people in xanga.
well….all over the world.
praying for you at this time in your life. the Mentor Himself is by your side.
I am sorry to hear that but I think it was awesome that he gave you more wisdom and spoke into your life before he passed … full circle!
The great man, who you know, will be remembered, I am sure, for the years to come.
No, because the Irish were also persecuted when they came to America. And some times they were even taken off the boat to fight in an army in a war against Mexico (I believe). And do you know how many Irish people live in the United States …
I’m so sorry for your loss Dan… I know it’s a difficult thing to go through. But you’re so lucky to have had those people in your life.
I’m also sorry about your spammers… geez they really don’t have anything else to do, do they? Now they are pretending to be grandmothers… slightly funny if it wasn’t so annoying.
Oppsie daisies! I thought I was commenting on the slavery post; my bad!
I’m very sorry to hear about that… and your spammers…
Sorry to hear you lost a good friend.
I’m sorry for your loss Dan.
Sorry to hear about your loss. At least you can take with you that knowledge and wisdom that he gave you and pass it on to others.
thats how I felt when my friend died last year….she was more of a mom to me. My condolences.
sorry about that! thats so sad.it sounds kind of like tuesdays with morrie. i’ve always wanted to have a morrie. i pray that i will find one before i die…
There will be an ache. I have a mentor that I would be devistated if I lost. My heart goes out to you today.
I still feel a profound sense of loss, having lost my mentor about 6 years ago. He was truly like another father to me. Finding out about his death was one of the saddest days of my life. But I try to honor him by doing what he taught me, and imparting that knowledge to others as best I can.
I am sorry you lost your mentor, Dan. But he’s still part of you, and always will be.
I thought of the book “Tuesdays with Morrie” when I read that. It’s by Mitch Albom, you may want to check it out. I’m glad you got to spend some final moments with him before he died. Hopefully you will meet up with this person in the afterlife and get reaquainted.
I am sorry for your loss.
one of my favorite reads is “tuesdays with morrie” by mitch albom. it was about an incredible mentor and the impact on the life he touched.
i’m so sorry for your loss…
so sorry to hear that. =(
Sorry to hear that, man.
my sympathies
there’s an aroma cafe in illinois?
there’s an aroma cafe in illinois?
I feel like that would hurt a lot. I have one mentor in my life. And he is everything you described. He keeps me strong and keeps me going and he is who I turn to when I need help, advice or if I wanna tell him something great. I can share every emotion with him and know he will have something to say that will be either supportive or happy with me or anything that can make the situation better or help the situation. Thinking of him dying… Anytime now, almost brought tears to my eyes. People like that shouldn’t die, you know? It’s like they know their purpose, or atleast we think that we know their purpose, and that is to help (as it may seem). And they are mostly humble beyond belief. I love my mentor/ friend so much because he is always there. I know I can rely on him.
Im sorry for your loss.
–Brian
im very sorry for your loss. but people like that never really die, they live on through their wisdom and will continue to live on as long as we keep passing that knowledge on to others.
I am very sorry.
Death happens to everyone. I’m not surprised. He seems old. His time was near.
I wish I knew someone like that.
[ariana]
Sorry for your loss.
So sorry to hear of the death of your mentor and friend. I will pray for you during this time.
Sorry to hear that. It’s hard to let someone go, especially someone who helped you develop yourself in life.
It is good you had those last moments with him. It will help you find peace with his passing.
Very touching post. I’m sorry to hear that.
Sorry to learn this Dan…very sad news.
He must have been an amazing man, sorry for your lost. Everyone has their time to go, if you can pass on the message, his legacy won’t be forgotten.
My condolences on the loss of your friend.
Condolences on your loss. Mentors are important and those who recognize that importance early on are blessed.
L,r
my cat died yesterday
> I’m sorry to hear about that and wish you well in working thru the grief. Come back to us all better for it. There is always some light in someones passing, even if it hurts, you just have to find it. God bless you and keep you.
Peace
That reminds me of Tuesdays with Morrie. If this man is as great as he sounds, even from your brief explanation, then I am sorry for your loss…
Sorry to hear that, but how wonderful you got to experience this man and his wisdom!
It’s amazing how it’s so hard to believe that people who are the nicest people who always lend a hand died. Same thing with a kid who went to my school, his name was Chris Welch. He and his girlfriend just passed a couple of days ago. I didn’t personally know him but he was an aquaintance. I worked in a concession stand a couple of years ago and he was really nice and outgoing. They died on the highway helping a lady fix a flat. It would be nice if you would pray for him and his family. Also for his girlfriend’s family.
Thank you,
Dylan
“even up to his last moment was giving me some of the best advice I could receive.”
What did he say?
Such partings break the heart they fondly hope to heal.
LORD BYRON
Dan, I am sorry to hear of the loss of your mentor.
Love, Sande
thats really sad….
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I have tried to be a mentor many times in my previous life as a teacher. I hope when I go somebody will regret my passing, too, though I know many will probably let out a big sigh of relief. I really was touched by this post.