On May 22, 2009 the greatest mentor I ever had in my life
passed away.
My great mentor lived to the age of 100, passing away 2
months before her 101st birthday.
This extraordinary woman defined the habits and character so
many people, like myself, strive to live each day.
In her spirit, she lived the attributes of extraordinary
kindness, compassion, and she was a friend to all.
How lucky I was to have mentor like this.
My mentor never met a stranger in her life and took an
immediate interest in the welfare of others. She ALWAYS
looked for the good in others, never complained, and never
wanted anyone to worry about her as she aged.
Writing down people’s birthdays, and calling them or sending
a card, was a habit she lived for decades.
How lucky I was to have mentor like this.
This individual always lifted me up.
Always.
Even though, we only saw each other 2 or 3 times a year
because she lived in Florida, in almost every call for at
least 20 years she seemed to add, “Michael, you’re terrific.”
This made me feel great and increased my own belief in
myself. I’m not sure if she ever realized the impact those
few words made on me.
How lucky I was to have mentor like this.
For at least 20 years, we ended every single phone call
saying, “I love you” to each other.
Every single one.
Even though, she’s not here with us today, I can still hear
her saying, “I love you too. I think you know that as well.”
I sure did.
The greatest gift my mentor shared with me is how to live.
The art of living.
She was the finest example I’ve ever met of the person I
desire to become.
Her life was a living example of character, integrity,
service, gratitude, and love.
My mentor lived these principles every day of her 100 year
life.
She always quoted Shakespeare’s line of being ‘true to
yourself’, and always told me to do the things I don’t like
to do first, and to get them over with.
How lucky I was to have mentor like this.
I always felt that when my mentor passed away there would be
a void in the world.
Something missing because of the love she expressed daily.
Now that my mentor passed away, I’m not sure if I was right.
In a way, she’s still living in the hearts and minds of the
people she touched.
I know she’s living in mine.
I learned from my mentor that the greatest thing we can pass
forward is being a GREAT EXAMPLE of a successful life. She
taught this to me through her actions, not her words.
I see this clearly over the last 2 weeks.
My mentor lived a quiet, peaceful life.
A life filled with self respect, taking care of her health,
and friendliness.
What a physically strong woman my mentor was for her entire
life.
How lucky I was to have mentor like this.
What an incredible mentor my Grandma Rita Litman was to me my
entire life.
How lucky I was to have a Grandma like this.
On May 22 at 7am, I received the call.
My Grandma has given me so much to remember, so much insight
on how to live a great life.
Let us all strive to be like my Grandma Rita Litman and to
pass forward a shining example of a successful life to
others.
Thanks for being the greatest mentor I could have ever asked
for.
I love you Grandma. Always.
Michael
{ 222 comments… read them below or add one }
← Previous Comments
thanks for sharing, your Grandmother was inspirational and has set an example to follow.
Hi Mike
What a lovely tribute to an awesome Grandma.
Thanks for sharing this.
Moira
Dear Mike, what a great lost. By your story, i realised that grandma was an epitome of motherhood. Her investment and impact in your life had largely contibuted to your success story today. Thank you Mike for sharing this legacy with us. The lesson we learnt through this story is a challenge for us all. This is an indication that we must thrive to leave our footprints in the sand of time. By this story, we have come to realize that we have a duty to leave something positive behind for posterity. We are hereby encouraged to add positively to our world. Grandma is not death; she just went home to rest.; she is at bossom of the Father rejoicing. Bye grandma….and thanks for leaving behind a coach like Mike who is today a blessing to us. Adieu
Hi Mike, sorry for your loss but happy for your gain of a wonderful sounding lady.
I too have a Grandma that without her love and guidance, I'm not sure how I would have turned out and so I can relate to your bond.
Regards Angelo
Well done!
You are so lucky to have had a grandmother in your life to show you the way. Thank you for sharing this story and reminding all of us to live by, and mentor others, to be a wonderful person like your Grandma Rita.
she is agreat grand mum not only you mike we have also benefitted with her phiolosophy and understanding of life prinsiples
AKA Dr. Of Kindness Inspiration @ Motivation-
“I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.†You were so blessed to be a part of her life.
Stephan Grellet
Thank you for the wonderful words and great remberances of an extraordinary woman you were lucky to have known. My Mother was much the same. World traveled, Bacteriologist, spoke 6 languages and friend of rich and poor. She was in touch with Nature like I've never seen…in tune with the universe and with the wisdom that it brought. These are our greatest mentors and they will always be in our hearts. Hopefully, we will pass on their wisdom and lessons but most of all their ability to love and accept.
This is beautiful and so was she,
a tear fell while i read the last part of the message. how painfull it is to loss a wonderful Grandma like yours. I love my Grandmother too and she taught me how to become a good individual. thank you Mike, i'm just so lucky i still have my Grandma with me to tell her how much I love her. Good day!
Dear Mike, I think we all feel your loss and the words that this loving lady gave to you, the integrity and honesty, the way to live life as a good person. Yes, we can all strive to be like our grandmas, I certainly miss my grandma and the influence she had over my life, even though it is 50 years since I last saw her and my mother. I can still feel their influence on me now. Please accept my sympathies. Keep that beautiful lady and her beautiful smile in your heart always.
I like your Grand Ma too Mike, coz my dad passed away recently. I sometime wonder where our loved ones disappear, and the all these years they are with you imparting the best for their kids and grand child. I just pray for your family. Thank you
Raju . speedmail2raju@gmail.com
What a beautiful and lucky lady Grandma Litman is and what a beautiful and lucky grandson you are. She is smiling down and still repeating the affectionate words she used when on earth and is so happy you are spreading her love like a shower of rainbows for everyone to share, she was your guardian angel on earth and now on a higher plane. Thank you for showing such us the personal love you felt for nanna and helping warm our hearts too. With much love Anna xxx
thanks for sharing your grandma's life, hasina x
thanks for sharing your grandma life and energy, love hasina, x.
Hi Mike,
You must consider yourself fortunate because only a few people are exposed to such a mentor. Kind words, love and support. What a wonderful human being. I am glad you had that experience.
Betty Ann
God bless her and all the love and wisdom left in her wake.
Micheal, What is said here and will be something you will have read, it'll make no difference to you or your grandma what you read you have a very healthy attitude of your grandma and were she has been in your life. But, what you have done is given your readers a wonderful opinion of what it is like to be part of your grandma's life; we are still sharing her love for you and her ideas of what she wanted you to fell about her by the attitude and the care you feel for your readers. It 's up to you to carry her legacy on, you and your family's, you are the ones she could touch so dearly and with the loving care you have spoken of. Micheal, there is no other grandma in the world like yours she has impacted the whole world through you and what you can do helping others, she is right beside you, closer than you think. If you still have the walker in the picture, it is a symbol of her leaning on you to be sure you are impacted by her love. And, obviously, you have and so has your family, possibly, us your extended family, as well.
Mike,
I'm Happy for your Gain
You are lucky to have experienced the worlds' greatest mentor.
Walk in Confidence
http://www.PlayersClubInternational.com
Hellow mike
Its really amazing and what a wonderful story. What a wonderful blessing it must have been for you to have the kind of relationship you had with your Grandma. Thanks for sharing it with us. My heart was deeply touched!
Hellow mike
Its really amazing and what a wonderful story. What a wonderful blessing it must have been for you to have the kind of relationship you had with your Grandma. Thanks for sharing it with us. My heart was deeply touched!
← Previous Comments