A mentor is a friend or a wise advisor.

Different types of people need different types of mentors. A bold, outspoken person might need a mentor who encourages her to listen and curb her speech. As the fourth child of five, with three older brothers who regularly pointed out why any opinion I offered was wrong, I was the opposite type; I needed mentors who would build my self confidence and encourage me to speak up.

During 20 years as a children's librarian in the public library, three of my supervisors stand out as mentors who helped me grow in different ways. Carol, my first supervisor, reminded me of Fezziwig, Scrooge's cheerful, generous boss in "A Christmas Carol." Her enthusiasm and interest in my ideas led me to create a writing contest for third to eighth graders that started with 100 entries the first year, but grew to over 2,000 entries ten years later. The first year of the contest we had no budget for prizes, but wanted to offer an incentive to all children who entered as a reward for their effort. Carol donated a bag of rubber animals.

During the first few years of the contest, while the entry numbers were low, we split the stories and each read half. In later years, when she was no longer my supervisor, she still took large stacks of stories to read, supporting my program. She helped me decorate the auditorium for the awards contest many times, as well as assisting when we announced the winners. In March 1995, she stood beside me to accept the Public Library Association's National Achievement Citation for this contest. The recognition was just in time; she died the following June.

My next mentor, Mary Jo, was my supervisor for only six months before she retired, but the connection we made has lasted 17 years so far. When office politics threatened me, how healing it was to talk with honest, direct Mary Jo, who listened and believed I was speaking the truth. She was an ally who took my part and protected me.

When Mary Jo retired, Mimi became head of the children's department. Mimi made me feel wise, by not only listening to my ideas, but by responding enthusiastically and implementing many of them.

Years later, I left the library to become a preschool teacher in a Lutheran school. I became a supervisor to my classroom aides. My first aide, Colleen, mentored me in many ways. As a new teacher, I lacked confidence, and she modeled assertiveness for me. She had worked as an aide in the public schools and made suggestions that enriched our program. A year ago she mentored me by modeling a faithful Christian's death. Though weak with cancer, she wrote me a long letter, reassuring me she was at peace. A special joy.

Since then, I've had four other aides. I've done my best to listen to their perspectives, to respect, encourage and use their ideas, and to be a friend. Apparently, without realizing it, I have become a mentor, too.

Whatever other specific needs mentors meet, they listen, stand beside, encourage, assist, prod and protect their "mentees," helping them grow into the people God meant them to be.