| Dedication to Noel Henry |
World7 would like to dedicate our efforts in honor of Noel Henry.
He was a man who dedicated his time to helping others during his
life, even in his last moments here on earth.
It is difficult to sum up the life of a man like this in a few
paragraphs or even a few words. A simple bibliography will not
do. While he was an Irish singer who had emigrated from County
Mayo, Ireland and made his dream come true with his band and
having a family; it is the endless stories of unconditional love,
selfishness, humbleness, humility, and strength that made him
great. To his kids, he was not just a father; but an inspiration. To
his wife, he was not just a companion; but the love of her life. And
to his friends he was not just an acquaintance; but a source of
strength and a loyal brother.
He was the type of man where God and family always came first.
And secondly, that everyone was family. Noel would never close
a door to anyone in need and was always there with a willing ear
to listen. He always went above and beyond to dedicating his life
to helping others and never once did a proud moment enter his
body. He always knew that life was not about him and did
everything he could to help those in need. For the homeless alone,
he helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars. Noel never
judged anyone and led his life by example not words. He would
even offer his suffering up to others; for when he was suffering
huge amounts of pain in his first boot of cancer his only reply
would be “another soul must have gone to Heaven.” His life was
never about him. It was always for the good of others.
I could start and go on forever sharing story after story of his heart
of gold but that would not have been what he wanted. What he
would have wanted was for people to have learned as he did after
his first boot of cancer what life was all about. That it was not
about the extra dollars but the extra memories with family. That it
was not about what defined you but rather who defined you. And
that success was not defined by amount of things but rather by the
amount of love in your life. It never had anything to do with what
you had on the outside but rather who you were on the inside.
Who knows maybe he is not some famous hero that is worthy for
all to remember; but I think that was exactly the point of his life
and why he was one of a kind.
You do not have to be a scholar or millionaire to be great. The
heroes and success stories of our world are not the ones with the
fancy titles or awards; but rather the ones who do not take the
promotion in order to be home at night to tuck their kids into bed
or to be there on the weekends. The men and women who
volunteer at a local nursing home or shelter as role models,
those who are aware of world issues and vote or seek to change
problems on the betterment as a whole not just themselves.
Success is even in those that just seek love as a first reaction
instead of hate.
In the end, on his death bed, Noel’s dying wish was to pray for the
world. In his very last moments of life he was still thinking of
others. And as I look at the world and the way he lived, I cannot
help but think it was to maybe pray for a little more love in the
world. Love of self. Love of family. And love of neighbor. No
matter who they are. And perhaps give just a little
back.
He was a man who dedicated his time to helping others during his
life, even in his last moments here on earth.
It is difficult to sum up the life of a man like this in a few
paragraphs or even a few words. A simple bibliography will not
do. While he was an Irish singer who had emigrated from County
Mayo, Ireland and made his dream come true with his band and
having a family; it is the endless stories of unconditional love,
selfishness, humbleness, humility, and strength that made him
great. To his kids, he was not just a father; but an inspiration. To
his wife, he was not just a companion; but the love of her life. And
to his friends he was not just an acquaintance; but a source of
strength and a loyal brother.
He was the type of man where God and family always came first.
And secondly, that everyone was family. Noel would never close
a door to anyone in need and was always there with a willing ear
to listen. He always went above and beyond to dedicating his life
to helping others and never once did a proud moment enter his
body. He always knew that life was not about him and did
everything he could to help those in need. For the homeless alone,
he helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars. Noel never
judged anyone and led his life by example not words. He would
even offer his suffering up to others; for when he was suffering
huge amounts of pain in his first boot of cancer his only reply
would be “another soul must have gone to Heaven.” His life was
never about him. It was always for the good of others.
I could start and go on forever sharing story after story of his heart
of gold but that would not have been what he wanted. What he
would have wanted was for people to have learned as he did after
his first boot of cancer what life was all about. That it was not
about the extra dollars but the extra memories with family. That it
was not about what defined you but rather who defined you. And
that success was not defined by amount of things but rather by the
amount of love in your life. It never had anything to do with what
you had on the outside but rather who you were on the inside.
Who knows maybe he is not some famous hero that is worthy for
all to remember; but I think that was exactly the point of his life
and why he was one of a kind.
You do not have to be a scholar or millionaire to be great. The
heroes and success stories of our world are not the ones with the
fancy titles or awards; but rather the ones who do not take the
promotion in order to be home at night to tuck their kids into bed
or to be there on the weekends. The men and women who
volunteer at a local nursing home or shelter as role models,
those who are aware of world issues and vote or seek to change
problems on the betterment as a whole not just themselves.
Success is even in those that just seek love as a first reaction
instead of hate.
In the end, on his death bed, Noel’s dying wish was to pray for the
world. In his very last moments of life he was still thinking of
others. And as I look at the world and the way he lived, I cannot
help but think it was to maybe pray for a little more love in the
world. Love of self. Love of family. And love of neighbor. No
matter who they are. And perhaps give just a little
back.
Seeking the courage to effect change.
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| Noel Henry |
| Noel praying on top of Mt. Krizevac in Medjugorje. |
| Noel with wife Winnie. |
| Noel with five out of his seven children. |