The Mentor I Lost Too Soon

In 2001, just as I was beginning college, I lost my father.

For many people, a father is a source of love and protection. For me, he was also my first mentor, career guide, strongest supporter, and closest friend.

I was always closer to him than anyone else. He had an incredible ability to understand me without words. He knew my fears, dreams, and aspirations before I ever voiced them. Whenever I faced a challenge, he was the person I turned to for guidance.

When he passed away, I didn’t just lose a parent — I lost the mentor who helped me make sense of life.

Over the years, I completed my education, built my career, and eventually found myself working in the UN system, following a path very similar to the one he once walked. It remains one of my proudest achievements.

Yet every milestone has carried a quiet sadness.

The person who inspired me to dream bigger was not there to witness how those dreams unfolded.

What I miss most is not only his presence but also his guidance. Life presents countless decisions, both personal and professional. For the past 25 years, I have often wished I could seek advice from the one person whose judgment I trusted completely.

I’ve had the privilege of learning from many wonderful people throughout my journey, but I never found another mentor who understood me the way my father did. Some roles in our lives simply cannot be replaced.

Looking back, I realize that our greatest mentors don’t just shape our careers — they shape our character, our values, and our belief in ourselves.

My father did all of that for me.

If he were here today, I would tell him:

“Dad, I followed the path you showed me. I only wish you were here to see how far your little girl has come.”

❤️