LOS ANGELES—It is rare indeed when we link to a competitor's page but in this instance it would be unthinkable not to do so. Our dear friend Tim Henning has for 15 years done the heavy lifting at ASACP by personally reviewing reports of child sexual exploitation and forwarding on those that merit further attention from law enforcement. He does much more in his new role as executive director, of course, but that work right there puts Tim into the hall of fame of heroes in our book.
But now this quiet champion for all children is experiencing the unthinkable. His 8-year-old daughter is seriously ill and the cause remains a mystery. The nightmare has been going on since Aug. 9, an eternity for anyone whose very life is defined by the love they have for their children.
Tim has written a painfully beautiful expression of the anguish he is going through. We do not know how he did it. We are in awe. All we can do is express our deep appreciation for him and extend our heartfelt hope that his angel recovers fully and that one of the really good guys of our industry is able to get whole again.
In his missive, Tim is not asking for support or money or anything, really; just that people remain acutely sensitive to what's really important in life by refusing to fall prey to "the little worries and stresses" that consume so much of our daily lives.
"When you go home tonight give your kids, significant other, family a hug. Reach out to your family and friends," he writes. "Spend time with them, talk with them, play and have fun with them. Enjoy them and love them as much as you can. The moments are all we have … they will never come again."
Tim's column can be found here.