Mentorship Moments

Whenever friends from New York visit our ranch, they are amazed at my transformation. They only knew me as a city slicker with zero background in country living. “Who taught you how to do all this, they ask?” I always reply, “My Uncle Phillip.” 

We have the perfect mentor-mentee relationship. I am not afraid to ask dumb questions, and he patiently invests the time to provide caring, thoughtful answers. I have called him a thousand times over the past six years, and he always answers or calls right back. It goes both ways. Whenever I am driving back from a horse pack trip, which he often helped me plan, I can expect a call from Uncle Phillip eagerly asking me how it went. 

Last month, Uncle Phillip was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer. I visited him to see how he was doing, and naturally, he was more concerned with me than with his health struggles. That’s how great mentors operate: they are always more concerned with others than themselves. The picture below represents this mindset. The funnest place to ride is out front, blazing a trail for others to follow. But in this picture, you see where Uncle Phillip usually rides, bringing up the rear and dragging a stubborn pack animal carrying all the equipment and food he has loaded to ensure an unforgettable experience for others.

During my visit, I asked him for advice on being a “trail boss,” and he taught me a powerful lesson. “You can plan the activity, but you can’t plan the moment.” He explained that you can carefully plan for a smooth trip all you want, but the most critical moments occur in real time when you get a spontaneous chance to lift, support, or teach someone. These moments can’t be scripted; they must be recognized and acted upon. I’m praying hard for my Uncle’s days to be lengthened so I can experience many more memorable mentorship moments.