hello, World

If you’ve done any level of computer programming, the very first application you write displays the universal greeting, “Hello, World.”

This initial foray into the language’s syntax is an exercise to ensure the computer is compiling your code correctly. It’s also a shout-out to all who are fortunate to behold to say, “Hello, World. I’ve arrived, and I’m about to do something awesome. Watch me.”

You may know me as a writer of words, but I’m also a computer programmer by trade. I work for a healthcare system writing web apps similar to websites but a bit more advanced in utility and outcome. This is another facet of how I tell stories, except with code.

Life is full of twists, turns, and unexpected cul-de-sacs. My voyage as of late has also included some detours, roadblocks, and wrong turns along the way. (This is where the big, hairy “but” comes in).

But I’m not done yet. My journey is just beginning.

My name is Kenn Bivins. I author novels, illustrate stories, engineer code, and give a damn. Hello, World.

While the pandemic sheltered all of us for a couple of years, many took to new skillsets and interests such as baking, rollerskating, birdwatching, and gardening, to name a few.

I tried my hand at gardening and mostly failed, but I count the overall experience as a success. I learned about patience, faith, growth, and development.

These essential and necessary attributes of being a gardener are no different in nurturing our own lives. For a time, there is dirt and no visible signs of activity. Nothing seems to be changing or improving. We water and fertilize and allow plenty of sun, but still nothing. Our patience and faith are tested. We’re at the end of our rope.

Then one day, a leafy sprig of hope bursts through the soil. It’s as if it’s singing, “Hello? Is it me you’re looking for?”

Soon, it stretches forward into the sky, growing tendrils and leaves full of life. We’ve soon forgotten those barren days of dirt and nothingness. All we know is that we’re glad we were patient and didn’t give up.

Life is so much like gardening. There are pests and other variables that we encounter while all we’re trying to do is grow something. Don’t give up.