Bentari is a book about Africa and a book about heroes and an adventure tale about battling steep odds. It is a book about a community with ancient customs and the challenges to sticking together that people face—especially through hard times.

Bentari is a book that recognizes all times are hard. Were it not for a few brave individuals and their heroic actions, the times would most definitely grow harder. In Bentari, times are heading in a very bad direction—but the bad actors learn a great deal from one young boy with exceptional skills, not the least of which is his ability to climb.

Mom and dad are my chief heroes. Through words and by deeds, they taught me many lessons. One of those lessons was the importance of having worthy heroes! I am always on the lookout for them, and they often appear close at hand.

Such was the case for me with Roy Pittman[1], a Hall of Fame wrestling coach and philanthropist. Roy graduated from my high school a few years ahead of me. Many wrestlers in Portland follow his legendary success at Peninsula Park. I am no exception. When I read one of the many articles in The Oregonian that have told Roy’s story, he was quoted once as saying, “My mother taught me how to be strong. My father taught me how to love.” I’ll never forget that. The exact same words define my memories of mom and dad.

I met Roy Pittman in the spring of 1994. While writing a paper on parenting, I recalled Roy’s quote. I decided to ask for his help on the project. Roy did not hesitate when I asked him to share some time and wisdom with me—he said, “Yes.”

There are no trees in Roy’s wrestling room, yet no one has done a better job of teaching young people how to climb! By caring, Roy teaches his children to work hard, to have fun, to set goals and to achieve. In Bentari, a small boy’s parents also live by this code.

Roy is another leader who shares his good examples in writing. The Wrestler's Creed: Wrestling Your Way Through Childhood and Beyond by Coach Roy Pittman and Joseph McFarland, MD is available at Peninsula Park. Drop in, meet Roy, and buy a good book.

Photo: from Roy’s collection with his permission.

Please send comments to tim@bentari.com. Please write “About Bentari” in the subject line of your E-mail. Thank You!

[1] Roy Pittman coaches championship wrestling at Peninsula Park in Portland, Oregon. See: http://www.eteamz.com/PeninsulaWrestlingClub/ and also: http://thinkexist.com/quotes/roy_pittman/http://www.eteamz.com/PeninsulaWrestlingClub/ and also: http://thinkexist.com/quotes/roy_pittman/