Director’s Message

Dear Friends, This is letter is the second part of a series highlighting leadership lessons from my mom. Mom recently turned 91 and continues in hospice care on our family ranch. Previously I have shared Lesson #1 - Leadership demands action, and Lesson #2 - Heart. Here are two more lessons I have meditated on as I have celebrated her life over the past few months. Lesson #3 - Accountability & Outcomes. Mom held herself and others to high standards. She often would state “if you sleep with the dogs - you will end up with fleas.” I must have spent a lot of time in junior high sleeping with the dogs, but Mom never gave up on me and I grew from those stupid mistakes. Accountability lectures, continuous groundings and getting hit in the head a lot with Mom’s “holy (wooden) spoon” made that lesson a bit clearer. Accountability for one’s actions is a good lesson then and now. Lesson #4 - Determination, hope and appreciation. Mom has faced many challenges and disappointments throughout her life. Her father, a farmer, had severe polio that challenged his farming endeavors. Mom grew up during the great depression as a poor child who worked long hours in the fields and handling livestock. Her brothers joined the military during World War II and the Korean War and she was left to work in their place. Mom has lost dozens of family members, classmates, and friends over her nine decades of life. She survived two bouts with cancer. She often says that she “out kicked her coverage” – a football reference to her long life of which she is rightfully proud. Mom survived the passing of parents, siblings, her husband, grandchildren, and the decision to turn her business over to her kids in its due season. Despite her advanced age and life events encountered along the way, she reminds us and appreciates that we can survive everything. When we encountered daily setbacks, she would always say with a sigh and a smile - “we have seen worse and are better for it.” She would remind us that our collective future is bright and that hope endures. I look forward to sharing the final few lessons a few weeks from now. With Whitney Regards, Patrick Henderson Whitney Benefits Executive Director

Return to Whitney Scholars

Return to Whitney Scholars

Director’s Message

Dear Friends, This is letter is the second part of a series highlighting leadership lessons from my mom. Mom recently turned 91 and continues in hospice care on our family ranch. Previously I have shared Lesson #1 - Leadership demands action, and Lesson #2 - Heart. Here are two more lessons I have meditated on as I have celebrated her life over the past few months. Lesson #3 - Accountability & Outcomes. Mom held herself and others to high standards. She often would state “if you sleep with the dogs - you will end up with fleas.” I must have spent a lot of time in junior high sleeping with the dogs, but Mom never gave up on me and I grew from those stupid mistakes. Accountability lectures, continuous groundings and getting hit in the head a lot with Mom’s “holy (wooden) spoon” made that lesson a bit clearer. Accountability for one’s actions is a good lesson then and now. Lesson #4 - Determination, hope and appreciation. Mom has faced many challenges and disappointments throughout her life. Her father, a farmer, had severe polio that challenged his farming endeavors. Mom grew up during the great depression as a poor child who worked long hours in the fields and handling livestock. Her brothers joined the military during World War II and the Korean War and she was left to work in their place. Mom has lost dozens of family members, classmates, and friends over her nine decades of life. She survived two bouts with cancer. She often says that she “out kicked her coverage” – a football reference to her long life of which she is rightfully proud. Mom survived the passing of parents, siblings, her husband, grandchildren, and the decision to turn her business over to her kids in its due season. Despite her advanced age and life events encountered along the way, she reminds us and appreciates that we can survive everything. When we encountered daily setbacks, she would always say with a sigh and a smile - “we have seen worse and are better for it.” She would remind us that our collective future is bright and that hope endures. I look forward to sharing the final few lessons a few weeks from now. With Whitney Regards, Patrick Henderson Whitney Benefits Executive Director