Ode to a Mentor

ODE TO A SCHOLAR 

“Why push so hard and demand so much?” 
You ask with anger in your eyes 
“Because the race is not to the swift, 
But to those who keep sight of the prize 
I know my high standards upset you 
You fear you can’t reach the bar 
But I fear that you don’t understand 
Just how talented and special you are 
  
I taught you to believe in yourself 
You have  gifts and talents to do it all 
But you must be committed to your goals 
And allow nothing or no one to make you fall    
  
Right now, life is good and quite easy 
But harder times are in store 
And the only way to get through it 
Is to work hard - and then work some more 
  
No one expects you to be perfect 
The Lord knows that I was not 
Seek not perfection, but excellence 
Dig deep and give all you’ve got 
  
This is neither the time to rest on laurels 
Nor lose sight of the important goals 
When hope seems lost and despair abounds   
That is the time to search your soul 
  

I will continue to expect more from you 
Even, when all your energy seems spent 
To some this will be criticism 
I hope you will see the compliment 
  
You will meet some with low expectations 
But know that as long as you live 
I will expect more from you 
Because you have more to give 
  
Spend little time on how others judge you 
Their judgment’s fleeting and it will pass 
You be the judge and your judgment should be 
Service to others and this, my child, will last   
  
When success is found and attained 
And all your battles have been won 
Give praise, give thanks, and give back 
And be happy with whom you’ve become

As life  goes on, your success will grow 
Your list of accolades will surely get higher 
However, never get so high that you forget  
That “to whom much is given, much is required”
  
You’re a star and greatness waits you 
So shine your light to the very end 
I wish you well in all you do 
Farewell, my child, my scholar, my friend 

  
LFT 


The poem that Mr. Toliver wrote to our class before we left UMBC.


Although I lay here broken in bed tonight, I know I’ll rise tomorrow stronger than ever knowing that his passion for me and my goals is what has ignited the fire in my soul and is what drives me to pass on the same flame to others. His legacy will live on through me. That is my word. 

I’ll end tonights entry with an excerpt from one of his blogs:

”The demands of this age and the expectations for this generation are extraordinary: to meet them, extraordinary young men and women are required. There are no promises of success - there is simply your humanity, your leadership, your commitment to the greater good - and the premise and obligation that says “of those to whom much is given, much is required.” 

 INDEED MR.T … INDEED.

HOLD FAST TO DREAMS.