God Bless Mentors

Every boy needs men to follow and emulate. The desire to “be a man” is instilled in the DNA of a male. That desire, the ‘knowing’ that he is a man, is not filled until acknowledged by other men. So a boy naturally, instinctively, craves male modeling and approval. Hopefully that comes from his father, a grandfather, uncles or other authentic family men. If those men aren’t in a boy’s life, he will hopefully be blessed by other good men, outside his family, to lead him towards authentic manhood. Otherwise he may seek that male love, acknowledgment and pride from gangsters and evil boys inhabiting a man’s body.

God Bless Mentors

Weren't much taller than the cantle
When I sat my first cayuse
Wanted to ride her all day
Despite my hurtin' caboose

That mare had her a name
"Miss Muffet" she was called
Her trot was up and down
Gettin' my backside galled

But she smelled so very good
Remindin' me of my Dad
I'd been too green to understand
When that wreck happened so bad

But that cripplin' he endured
Somehow made him stronger
He never faltered in his walk
Though he could walk no longer

My dad was a real cowboy
Not just some wanna be
It must'a been in his blood
He and Gramps passed it on to me

Dad taught me by example
Tall men cast long shadows
But my dad at five-five
Cast the longest heaven knows

My grandad had him a way
Of gently nudgin' me along
He'd often sigh a gentle smile
When teachin' right from wrong

See, both of them knew Jesus
On a basis called first name
When good or bad things happened
They thanked Him just the same

So when I toss out my loop
Dallyin' my sin at His feet
I reckon to just leave it there
My forgiveness bein' complete

I'll be forever in their debt
For showin' me the Cowboy Way
Jesus, Gramps and my Dad
Makin' me who I am today

by Rik "Yonder" Goodell

© 2025 All rights reserved

This painting, by Jack Sorenson,  of a young cowboy helping his grandfather, was likely the dream of many a boy when I was growing up.

For more of this artist's work, go to his website:

https://www.jacksorensonfineart.com/