MATTHEW, MARK, AND LUKE HENRY TAKE TIME FOR A PIC AT THE YELLOW JACKET RELAYS
A little over 18 years ago, Dr. Gerard Henry and his wife Julie were expecting their first son. When it came time to decide on a name for their first son, they did what any sensible couple would do. They turned to the Good Book and found what they were looking for in the Gospel.
So, Dr. Henry and Mrs. Henry named their first son Matthew Henry and saw that it was well. A few months passed and then they begat Mark Henry. Once again, they saw that it was well.
They were on a roll. And then they begat Luke Henry.
Now, God had blessed them with three boys--Matthew, Mark, and Luke. But when you are three books into the New Testament, you don't stop there. And they didn't.
Yes, the fourth and final son was named John Henry.
No offense to the Old Testament, but it just wouldn't be the same if the Henrys had gone with Leviticus, Ezekiel, and Habakkuk.
After this, Dr. and Mrs. Henry rested.
We caught up with the Henry Boys--minus John--at the Yellow Jacket Relays. Three brothers--each one wearing a different uniform.
Matthew is a senior at Caddo Magnet High School. Mark is a junior at Loyola. Luke is a freshman at C.E. Byrd.
Where will John, who is in the eighth grade, go to high school? The early shekels are coming in on Calvary, but anything is possible.
We started with the eldest and inquired about any other Henry children.
"We have one older sister named Carolyn," Matthew said. "She is amazing and I always brag on her."
Then, Matthew, who is planning to continue his post-secondary studies at LSUS and major in computer science, shared the best thing about being an older brother.
"Sometimes I get to boss them around," Matthew said.
Matthew has been running for Caddo Magnet for four years, when asked if he believed his brothers ran because he ran, he gave an honest answer.
"We were forced," Matthew said.
Luke, who may end up in law school before it's all said and done, objected.
"I don't know about that one," Luke said.
Mark wanted to set the personal records straight.
"Don't get it wrong," Mark said. "I'm the best. They started running because of me. I'm the fastest. They're trying to keep up with me now."
We wanted to see where Mark stood on the comment from his older brother about being forced to run.
"No, no, no," Mark said. "It's a personal thing for me. I just want to be better than them."
On the issue of which Henry attends the best school, it was every Henry for himself. Mark suggested asking Mrs. Henry.
Figuring she had to settle enough arguments over the last 15 years, we will respectfully decline Mark's suggestion.
Luke Henry, competing in the junior varsity division on Saturday, did take home a couple of bronze medals. He finished third in the 800m (2:37) and third in the 1600m (5:49). Both times were personal records.
While he proudly displayed the medals-- even putting them in his mouth during the interview on the infield of the friendly confines at Lee Hedges Stadium--don't look for him to be throwing them in the face of his older brothers around the dinner table.
Smart.
Older brother Matthew also had a couple of personal records at the Yellow Jacket Relays---and the same time as Luke in the 1600m. He ran a 5:49 to finish No. 11 in the 1600m and finished 8th in the 3200m with a 13:15.
Mark ran a 5:05 in the 1600m to finish fifth.
While we may have more questions than answers after speaking with the Henry brothers, one thing it's certain. They enjoy the sport of track and field and enjoy sharing it with their brothers.
And that's the Gospel truth.