Mentors/Mentorship

December 14mentors,mentorship,larry broussard,friends

I am thankful for mentors and mentorship. There's nothing more gratifying than for someone to take you under his/her wing and mentor, teach, and lead you. Mentors and "mentees" have a special relationship that can be the deepest kind of friendship that exists. Without mentors, we would surely be pretty much on our own, stumbling through life. Mentors are specail people who give of their own time to help others in a deep and meaningful way. The message sent is "I care enough about you that I will give my time and heart felt effort to help you become the best that you can be." So special.

This is my friend and mentor, Larry Broussard. This photo was taken at Louie's Cafe prior to going to an LSU basketball game last winter. I first met Larry as a fellow graduate students at the University of Texas in Austin. Interestingly, we both were studying under Dr. William Shive in the Biochemistry Department at U.T., and, although we didn't know each other at the time, as LSU undergraduate students had both worked for and been mentored by Gerald Risinger in biochemistry. It was Larry who introduced me to clinical chemistry and we both ended up going to LSU Medical Center to study it in the Department of Pathology. Larry and I share our common interest in clinical chemistry and LSU sports and have kept up with each other over the years.

It is also very rewarding to mentor somebody. I have had students over the years for whom I have served as a mentor. Of these, my lone Ph.D. graduate student, Joanie Brocato, has gone on to become a DNA analyst and manager of the DNA section of the Louisiana State Crime Lab. I am very proud of Joanie. We have also remained good friends over the years.

so special

so special

the good bond that exists

between mentor and mentee

and of all it consists

you give of yourself

so later i might give

to another deserving

so better they can live

thank you my role model

for showing the way

i thank you continuously

every single day.

© rt tulley

Formations

December 13formation,arrangment;forming;creating;white pelicans;flying

I am thankful for formations. Formation is an arrangement of a group for a purpose, a configuration, or forming or creating structure. In those regards, formations could be likened to creativitiy or function. The example of birds in formation during flight comes to mind. It is thought that birds form a V shape so as to minimize the air drag on the majority of the birds. The leader and edge flyers are constantly roatating in and out so that no one bird or group of birds carries the load all the time. So it is with gatherings or group functions with a purpose in mind and when many work to ease the burden of a few.

I was on my way to the LSU versus Arkansas football game when I saw these white pelicans flying overhead in formation. They made for a simply magnificent scene.

formation

i had an idea just the other day

to form a terrific concert air band

we would play our respective instruments

to simulate great music of the land

we would play our rifts in tight formation

with lead guitar there at the point

bass and keys backing behind

with drums center of the joint

but like all good ideas that i get

there was one major and gigantic flaw

our music was as void as the air

that never played well and never was law

but to me the music was grand

it swelled and it beautifully flowed

but it seems others did not hear the same

to them it irritatingly blowed.

© rt tulley

Hope

December 12hope,christams tree,christmas

I am thankful for hope. In the words of Alexander Pope: "Hope springs eternal in the human breast, Man never is, but always to be blest." Hope is optimistic belief that things will work out for the best. According to Charles Snyder, who studied hope in people, hope differs from optimism in that with optimism we believe in the best outcome; whereas with hope, people believe in but also work for that positive outcome. Hope leads to joy, happiness, and empowerment. Christians generally have high hopes for our future based on the promise and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Christmas is the time of hope; Easter is the fulfillment of that hope.

This is a photo I took of an ornament on our Christmas tree. The tree was lit with the tree lights but also enhanced with an LED flashlight pointed at the letters.

I wrote the following poem in 1995 for my wife Bebe. It speaks of realized hope.

once with hope

once with hope

you did inspire me

erased every doubt

and removed all hesitancy

we were young

and looked ahead

to the day

when we could be together

forever to stay

you touched my heart

and though so long ago

i feel your touch still

in a way no one knows

once with hope

you did inspire me

and lit a lantern

to guide the way to see

we are young no more

but are together you know

and those feelings

still continue to grow

for you are my refuge

my strength and security

without that retreat

i would fade into obscurity

once with hope

you did inspire me

you were the dream

that became reality.

© rt tulley