tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13848936.post6928855965625765279..comments2023-10-30T11:40:27.077-04:00Comments on Walking in Grace: One of My MentorsDan Vukmirovichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07902885684766720666noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13848936.post-76065753163787567252008-03-31T16:02:00.000-04:002008-03-31T16:02:00.000-04:00Hi Dan. You're right, Mr. Larimer certainly did p...Hi Dan. You're right, Mr. Larimer certainly did play a huge part in your getting your first job. I was looking for just the right candidate, and I called him for advice. Once Mel told me about you, you had the inside track. But it was your skills and attitudes and vision that caused me to hire you. You delivered a fine program, and as the principal, I was proud of your work and of the kids at our high school who were under your direction.<BR/><BR/>Mel was my mentor too. I first sang under him in the 7th grade in the Michigan Junior High Honors Choir at Cobo Hall - in 1968. He recruited me to the music program at Olivet College, he and Mrs. Larimer were always available there, and during summers at Interlochen. We always managed tp stay in touch. Remember when we hosted the Albion choir on tour? When Mel stayed at my house (instead of the other way around, for once), it made me proud to be hosting him, for once! <BR/><BR/>I had the privilege of saying goodby to Mel 5 days before he died. He still had that sense of humor, and the last thing he said to me was "I love you too."<BR/><BR/>With Mel as a mentor, you quickly learned to "pay it forward". Indirectly, that brought you to your first teaching job (where you did a really fine job, by the way). And it prepared you, as it did me, to spend a lifetime in service to young people. They will pay it forward too. For all that, "Thanks, Mel..."<BR/><BR/>Great to hear about you. By the way, my hair is turning white. What happened to yours?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03188488638793919557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13848936.post-69973624730563875902008-03-29T10:05:00.000-04:002008-03-29T10:05:00.000-04:00Hmmmm.. thanks for this. Brings back some great me...Hmmmm.. thanks for this. Brings back some great memories of some of the influential people in my life. And how I should send them a note of thanks, now.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for being a great mentor yourself.<BR/><BR/>:)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13848936.post-33051966457229071032008-03-29T10:03:00.000-04:002008-03-29T10:03:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Donhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05650793642102000110noreply@blogger.com