Harry Lawrence Mills

Someone commented yesterday that I seem to be focused on food lately,must be true based on the entries. Still love it but today it is time for something very important.

Yesterday afternoon, I attended a gathering in honour of Harry Lawrence Mills, brother of a man I am pleased to say I knew George Mills, a gentle man who loved music and was gracious to those people who he played with. Because I monitor a phone line for CAMMAC, Canadian Amateur Musicians Musiciens Amateur du Canada, I received the phone call about Harry's death and the fact that he had requested that people donate money to CAMMAC or the charity of their choice instead of flowers . I had not had the opportunity to recognize George's passing several years ago other than writing an article for the CAMMAC newsletter; this time I wanted to attend the gathering in his brother's honour. I was pleased to see that there were pictures of George as well as Harry. What was also remarkable was the impact that Harry had on people's lives. The banquet room at the Old Mill was full and I had only managed to come for the last third of the gathering. There was quite a list of people whose lives Harry had touched. I met the founder of the Bohemian Embassy who modeled this after the salons he enjoyed at Harry's home which was his family home for over 70 years. Harry was always welcoming and supported the efforts of many struggling artists to become a success. ( A number of friends plan to write a biography for lives lived in the Globe and Mail. I look forward to learning more about him. )While it was wonderful that people had come together to recognize a life well lived, I hope that he had known how much he was appreciated during his lifetime.

I think that this blog entry encourages us all to take the time while we can to reach out and thank people when we can for their contributions to our lives. Don't wait for a gathering that they are not able to attend except in spirit.