My daughter, Taylor, has always been a tremendous source of pride for us.

Every parent wants to provide their child with opportunities to learn and grow.   We rightly swell with pride when we see what our children are capable of as they mature and develop into the young men and women who will one day set the direction for the society in which they live.

If  compassion and vocation are to remain important in this world, I’m proud to say that my daughter appears intent on being one of the people who prove it to be so through their actions and through the time they give in the assistance of those less fortunate.

Taylor decided at an early age that she wanted to help others, and over the course of time, has contributed her time and talent to various causes that have as their goal the betterment of those who suffer from burdens not of their choosing.  She loves people, can recognize hardship in others, and has always been one to be part of any effort that brings assistance to those who may need it.

It’s no surprise, then, that Taylor finds herself in Guatemala, teaching guitar in San Lucas to children living in a community that not long ago did not possess the security that would make such lessons possible.

When word came that Taylor had successfully gained a spot on a mission trip to Guatemala, a friend of mine, Steve St. Micheal, and I got to kicking some ideas around, and we came up with the idea that we might send a couple of guitars down with Taylor, have her teach some basic lessons, then leave the guitars in the community when she returned home.  Steve, of course, is owner of Mill Music here in Renfrew, which happens to have the largest selection of guitars in the Ottawa Valley.

So, with Taylor’s agreement and cooperation, it was decided that we’d do that;  send down two guitars, in Taylor’s care, to be distributed and taught at her discretion.  And from the reports we’re receiving from Taylor herself, those guitars, and the lessons that go along with them, have proven to be tremendously popular.

I’m, of course, tremendously proud of Taylor, for who she is and for what she does, and for the happiness she seems to find in the doing.  And Steve and I are happy that our small donation, distributed through my daughter, will bring some joy to people for many years.

Many thanks to Steve, Ruth, Richard, and Connie at Mill Music.