What a Mentor Should Be

"A mentor is not someone who walks ahead of us and tells us how they did it. A mentor is someone who walks alongside us to guide us on what we can do."

—Simon Sinek

This was a photo from night when I got to hear Sam Pilafian play the tuba live for the final time. I miss him.

This is really profound and perfectly describes my relationship with Sam Pilafian.

The very first time we spoke he made me feel like I was on the same journey as him even though I was a starstruck 12-year-old tuba player who was just in awe.

I didn't leave that Empire Brass concert and brief conversation with Sam believing I could do what he did someday.

I left *knowing* I could do it. And there's a big difference.

He seemed just as excited to meet me as I was to meet him. Equal footing from the jump.

He treated me that same way throughout our entire relationship.

From that 12-year-old kid he'd never met to his graduate TA to eventually being his brass quintet colleague touring the world myself he treated me the same.

Just walking alongside me and guiding when needed.

Not sure what I did to deserve having such an incredible mentor dropped into my lap. It's certainly nothing I did.

But every single time I think about Sam I am overcome with appreciation for having such an example walking next to me for 31 years.