At 86 years old, Howard Atkins reflects on a life shaped by the unwavering guidance of two remarkable individuals: his father, Nick Atkins, and his mother, Marie Atkins. Nick Atkins provided Howard with the strong foundation that underpins his life. He taught him how to place the blocks of his life and make them fit perfectly, building a solid structure to face the challenges ahead. Marie Atkins, on the other hand, taught Howard love, compassion, and how to be considerate of others. But perhaps most importantly, she taught him how to respect and love himself—and to never do harm to others.

One of the greatest lessons Marie imparted to Howard was the importance of staying positive. Life can sometimes be difficult, and negativity is always an easy path to follow. But Howard learned that it’s almost always worth the extra effort to maintain a positive attitude, even when it’s hard. Because of the love and support of his parents, Howard has always been encouraged to reach higher, run faster, and strive to be stronger—both physically and morally.

At age 15, Howard dropped out of school, joined the National Guard, and moved to California at 18. It was there that he met the love of his life. Between the ages of 18 and 86, Howard’s life has been full of adventure, love, and personal growth—many good books to read, full of new experiences