A Journey You Must Think Through, November 26, 2001 On my wedding day, November 26, 1961, I paid a photographer to take pictures of me and my beautiful bride. He did not show up. Only one camera was there, and it belonged to my oldest niece, Revonia Fletcher. She only had one exposure left in her camera. She took our picture at the reception held in the fellowship hall of New Hope Church after we said our vows. The most important thing I learned from planning this event was that I should always have a backup plan. On our fortieth wedding anniversary, I had over a dozen cameras ready to take pictures of the event. Everything was photographed that time. Whenever Gladys and I attend any event, many young people look upon us as role models for a successful marriage. My advice to those who are thinking of getting married is this: count the cost before you say ?I do.? There is only one other commitment in life more significant than a marriage vow, and that the one in which we say to God, ?Lord, here am I. I?ll go, even if I have to go by myself, but I will serve you unto death.? Jesus Christ and my wife, Gladys, are the best things that ever happened to me on this extraordinary journey. If you don?t think so, excuse me. I do. I am enjoying the journey of my life by helping in words and deeds. Sometimes while traveling from city to city, I?lI see children playing in the street, some on playgrounds others in their yards. I stop and talk to them, encouraging them to love one another. I tell them to go to church when possible and work hard at excelling in school. With their parent?s permission, I give them monetary gifts. I tell them to always remember what the Bible says in Ephesians 6:1-2: ?Children obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right. Honor thy father and mother?. This is the first commandment with a promise. You may be just like me: going through life as a high school dropout. If you read page 8, ?Coming up as an innovator to beat the odds? you will understand why I got behind in school and needed some catching up in my education. As an adult, I realized I would not be able to successfully survive without going back to school. I wanted my best self to come forward. Education is the key to success. I am thankful for the God given talents that have allowed me to be successful doing the things that interest me. Now don?t fool yourself, it won?t come easy. I challenge all of my readers not to quit; but keep pressing forward. You are at the steering wheel of your future. So get started. I close with this thought: The only things that last are things you do for God. It is my hope that you will accept these words and ideas that I am sharing with you. If not, ?EXCUSE ME? TO GOD BE THE GLORY. (The Author)