DAYTONA BEACH -- Today is a milestone -- Feb. 4, 2014 -- as I am now 52 years old. I have as much energy now as I had at 22 when I graduated from college. I have accomplished quite a bit, but there is so much more I want to do in my life's journey.
My Christian faith is my guide, my instincts sharpened by past decisions -- good or bad -- in helping me meet challenges foreseen and unforeseen for such is the uncertainty in life. People often ask me why I'm always pushing the envelope. Why I'm constantly challenging the status quo. My response: Because I can. Why should I let others set it for me when I can chart my own course on my terms.
I demand far more of myself than others. It's so easy to be let down -- to be disappointed. It may take me twice as long to get from point A to point B, but somehow I manage to bridge the gap and that's all that really matters.
Life hasn't been easy for me. But early on, I found solace in reading and writing, a gift learned from my late mother at the age of 3. I have had a lifelong fascination with writing. It's something I never see as a chore or a job.
I also love following sports and listening to music -- mostly classic rock and the Big 80s. In this digital world, it's not just books that I can reach into for knowledge, but the sound and sight on the Internet through resources like YouTube, Wikipedia and countless media outlets.
It is very rewarding to see our internet newspaper included in the search engines and news directories, our content indexed and accessed around the world literally within minutes.
I'm certainly not rich and doubt I ever will be when it comes to money or property. But I have wealth in my writing and the freedom this internet newspaper provides to report the news, to express my views, even if they go against the grain.
I've tried my best tin my own unique way to be a good journalist, a good father, a good husband, a good son, a good human being. Life hasn't been easy for me, but I know that I am truly blessed; that I've accomplished some great things. And by the grace of God, I can continue doing so.
Marjorie Crump of Daytona Beach posted the following message earlier in the day on Facebook and it made me truly appreciate who I am, where I've come from and where I want to go: "Happy Birthday Henry. The world is a much better place with you in it. Enjoy your day."
Marjorie Crump of Daytona Beach posted the following message earlier in the day on Facebook and it made me truly appreciate who I am, where I've come from and where I want to go: "Happy Birthday Henry. The world is a much better place with you in it. Enjoy your day."