I Hardly Knew Him

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Roger Miller: June 30, 1931 to June 21, 2019

Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, closeup

"I look at Uncle Roger as a blessing to our family, for he taught our family to view all people with more humanity." (loosely quoted, paraphrasing what my cousin Sylvia said to me at my dad's funeral this summer)

Here is a picture of my father, Roger Miller.
See how brightly he smiles; how sweet his eyes are.
My mom met him in the Navy before he left for Korea.
She tells us he was Valedictorian and star athlete in his high school.
When she met him, he was very personable, but the man in this photo. . .
                    I hardly knew him.

This is the best picture I have of him because I have so few!
                    I hardly knew him.
When he returned from war, mental illness followed; it consumed him.
In those days there was no decent treatment for schizophrenia.
My dad grew sicker and my mom was forced to leave him,
taking her four daughters back with her, far away, to Iowa.

Responsible and kind, my dad sent money monthly for his daughters.
He corresponded with us by mail and drove out a few times to see us.
However, I felt detached from him; I had so many questions for him.
I visited him as he lay dying this year in a hospital, hoping for answers.
He said little. His eyes - so much like mine – were still beautiful, but
                    I hardly knew him.

Sept. 21, 2019
For Writing Challenge 2, September 2019 - The Photograph - Poetry Contest
 Sponsor, Wiishkobi Ode

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Constance La France

Date: 10/3/2019 5:16:00 PM

Andrea congratulations on your win in my challenge with this excellent poem, it touched my heart and what a great photo!

Jeanne Mcgee

Date: 10/3/2019 2:23:00 PM

Sad and full. Congrats on a wonderful win Andrea.

Juliet Ligon

Date: 10/2/2019 4:12:00 PM

Such a heartbreaking story. That must have been very hard on you, your mom, your siblings, and your dad. Poetic hugs, Juliet.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 10/2/2019 9:08:00 PM

thanks, Juliet. I imagine a great number of women in the world did not have a dad around for them when they were growing up. (men as well)

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 10/2/2019 2:36:00 PM

WOW!!!!! What a story you just told. It is so very beautiful. You will find the answers one day. May you be blessed...

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 10/2/2019 9:09:00 PM

thanks, Paula. Yes, the answers await us on the other side! of that, I am sure.

Beata Agustin

Date: 10/2/2019 3:19:00 AM

Thanks for sharing a part of you through this piece; and for reminding me to be thankful to the Lord for giving me a great Dad. God bless you.

CayCay Jennings

Date: 9/27/2019 11:00:00 AM

Darn it, I'm crying and know that you probably did not. This write pulls the heart strings, Andrea, and because I know your history somewhat it especially pools my tears - can't help it. I see him free now but you still questioning the why in all of it, for you and him. Off to find a tissue. Love, CayCay

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/27/2019 8:22:00 PM

thanks so much, Caycay. I actually did cry at the funeral. Seeing him in the coffin, just the shell of him and so very thin, made me cry. Also, I cried for what could have been and also I felt thankful that he was in heaven at last.