The Empress of Australia by Harry Leslie Smith

All that courage, concern, heart, resilience and joy. I hope I’m like that if I make it to 95 – but why wait? I think I will take a leaf out of Harry’s book and start…now. Nearly 95, he has decided that, “I’m spending the last years of my life touring the refugee hot spots of the world to find a solution to this crisis…” How fantastic is that? Harry’s profile reads: “Survivor of the Great Depression, RAF veteran Activist for the Welfare State Author of Harry’s Last Stand Love Among the Ruins, 1923 & The Empress of Australia…” All the best, Harry.” I went to his home page and learned that Harry is a remarkable man. Love will triumph even in this darkness, if we show the courage of compassion to our fellow travelers. “Happy Christmas to all my friends and followers. I was on Twitter this morning, composing a holiday greeting, and on my feed I saw a sweet tweet from a gentleman in England: Harry Leslie Smith. Yuletide wishes & happy festivities to everyone! I hope your holiday is full of love and joy and peace. Holiday Wishes & I’m Just Wild about Harry!

I am republishing it nevertheless, lest we forget those among us who are humble and so so brave. I wrote this piece last year when I first made Harry’s “acquaintance.” It seems a bit naive now that I know more about him. It is presumptuous of me, but I do think that’s on track. I think that would be what Harry would want most of all. He is a remarkable person and I hope and I pray that I, and others, take up the baton and continue his work. His story is powerful: poverty, starvation, war, finding love, children, losing his love and dedicating his life to helping those who have no representation, no one to advocate for them.

Fearless and outspoken, he voiced his opinions and took on his detractors. Real followers who too are dedicated to righting the wrongs of this world. Over the year, on Twitter, we had a few sweet exchanges, despite the fact that he has hundreds of thousands of followers. After following him I learned how well- known and admired he is in the UK, Canada – around the world.

Last year, when I discovered Harry on Twitter, I didn’t know of him. On November 28, Harry Leslie Smith passed away at the age of 96.

The Empress of Australia by Harry Leslie Smith