One of my greatest mentors passed away last month. And as sad as it was for his family -- and myself, it was also eye-opening for me. In my head, this man, my fifth grade teacher, and one of my greatest role models in school, was unstoppable. He was a military man, with a stern, no-nonsense policy, a kind heart, a strict classroom, and a penchant for making his students want to learn. It broke my heart to hear of him passing away -- especially to hear something as malicious as cancer had taken him. Though it was no surprise he'd fought a long, hard battle with it before finally succumbing. He was a brilliant, inspirational man. And, as an adult, I never told him that. (Also, I'm sure I never told him as a child either.) His passing truly opened my eyes. Who else had I also not told of their impact on my young life? Of my other mentors and teachers, who had the greatest impact, and who did I feel needed to know. At a point when I was extremely impressionable, Mr. Mielnicki put h