"I KNOW A GUY..."

And what comes next might be different than what you think...

Four short stories and a question.

I know a guy.

I know a lot of guys. And if I were a little young fellow I’d want to be just like them when I grew up. Oh, wait. If I were a little girl I’d want to be just like them when I grew up. How do I know that? I’m the other side of childhood and there are four guys I’d like to use as role models. In my life. Today.

One is a third my age. And he can finish my sentences and knows what I am opening my mouth to ask him to do. And. He is hardly ever incorrect. I’m sure of it. There has to be a time … it just doesn’t come to mind right now. He keeps his own counsel and will disclose his opinion when sincerely asked. He is aware of his environment, 360 degrees, even when he’s got headphones on. I’ve walked the planet many decades more than him and he’s packed in more lived experience into 2/3 less time. He is humble and I want to be like him when I grow up.

One is a lot older than me. He’s been a learner all his life and somewhere along the way he became a teacher. He was a teacher who, although tasked with a specific subject which he taught masterfully, he really taught people how to learn. How to see from different angles. He taught people better and more artful ways to Human. He is kind and I want to be like him when I grow up.

There’s a guy who translates to the world as timeless, ageless. He could be 20. He could be 50. He’s a guy who’s not from here. He’s from far away from here and all you have to do is listen to his accent to know this. The first time we met, we saw each other. So different on the outside and insides that align, that resonate, that are simpatico without being the same. He is an enigma to others and he understands himself and that is mostly enough for him. He does not live his days to make others understand him. He seems to know that if he actively understands others…it will deepen his own capacity and dig the well of his humanity even deeper. He noticed the absence of posts this week and he just called to let me know how much he liked a post a few weeks back…and to ask if all is well in my world. He sensed that I had a bundle of tasks to complete in a week. Without saying it. I treasure that he prays for me every day. He is openhearted and I want to be like him when I grow up.

And…there’s a guy responsible for tens of thousands of young lives, thousands of various staff associates and, yes, hundreds of projects. He looks like one thing and he is many things. He sometimes doesn’t answer emails or texts because he has an inner compass that knows the difference between urgent and important, even though they often masquerade as each other. When he shows up, admittedly, often late, smart people know to be grateful they got a slice of time with him. If he trusts you he’ll show you the different coats he gets to wear. And they all fit him well. And with a dizzying set of giant responsibilities…he is there. When he arrives with a respectful nod to tardiness, you know he is now only where he needs to be. Attentive. Attuned. Taking note. And he seems to be in no hurry even though he has 4.5 days to live before 5 pm rolls around. He is mindful and I want to be like him when I grow up.

These four men do not treat me like a gender, like a role or inhibit me by categorizing me in any way. They see me. Welcome me as I am in a moment.

Who do you want to be like when you grow up?