Wednesday, June 23, 2010

The Mentors

As a little girl I've was always drawn to people a few or more years older than I was.  I felt then as I do now that those who walked life's path ahead of me had something important to share with me.  Now that I've reached the middle years (over 50) I am starting to see things from the other side.
MENTORING isn't just something nice that you do, it's something that you are called to do. It's in all of us.  It doesn't matter if you're 6 or 96 we all have it.  I can't imagine where I would be today if those that walked on the creative path before me did not show me what I needed to see at the moment I needed to see it.  I spent hours watching my grandmother sew, hours watching my grandfather paint and build model ships.  Weeks watching Mrs. Krout plant and tend her garden.  Canning with Lynn M. and quilting with Louise.  Many nights  I was lucky enough to go to ceramic class with my mother and Aunt Gail.  And that was just when I was little.  As an adult I have had so many mentors.  Mr. Link, an art teacher that was so disappointed I did not pursue a degree in advertising.  Mareen Nieman, the wonderful woman who brought me out of my shell during my theater years.  Hershal Pollard, he taught me not to be afraid of the paint brush, just paint what I see. Oh and then there is Randy Brodnax, a wonderful potter and truley a mentor to many. The list goes on and on.  As I grow and become more mature, may I be worthy of the honored role on those lives that I touch. And, may I use the gifts that those who have mentored me and pass them on.  I find it a very important role in life to share with others what I have learned in the past.  I hope that through these posts I can do just that. Please if any of you have a special mentor you would like to share with us.  Drop me an email so we can share the spirit.

-Kate