You'll Be Poor

Tonight we were at my parents' house and this story came up that I had to include on here. George told it at the funeral but it needs to be written. Rheese was very concerned about his cousin, Brandon, not being married and being 25. He used to ask me all the time when Brandon was going to get married. Well, one day he told Brandon that if he didn't get married by the time he was 30 then he was going to be poor. LOL! And he was completely serious. I don't know where he would come up with things like this but he did often. We now like to remind Brandon that he better find someone because he doesn't want to be poor. What a funny boy!

5 months

It's been 5 months today since we laid our little Rheese to rest.  Since those days in March we have been very aware of what day it is each month, whether it be the 11th or the 16th, until this one.  None of us recognized the significance of the 11th of August until a few days later.  I was upset with myself for not remembering but then we wondered if it is a sign that we are healing just a little.  I know I thought about Rheese that day because I do everyday but I must have been thinking of his beautiful smile or his infectious laugh instead of remembering the day he left for his home above.  Most days I wonder if the hurt will ever go away or if I can make it however many years until I can see him again, so maybe our forgetting the 11th, at least this one time, means that it will.  I don't think it will be for awhile, but maybe it will happen someday.  We miss you and love you Rheesey!!
-Niki

Heart Camp

I was at Wal Mart the other day and as I was paying for my stuff the cashier asked me if the bracelet I had on was a Rheese bracelet. I was a little shocked but said that it was. I did not recognize this lady and my mind was trying to figure out who she was. I then remembered a similar experience my dad had a few months ago and that it was Caitlyn's mom. Caitlyn is the girl that Rheese had a crush on. He would blush when he would talk about her. She also has a heart defect. After remembering my dad's story I asked her if she was Caitlyn's mom and she said yes. She asked how I was doing and I told her I was doing ok but there were definitely hard times. Then I asked how Caitlyn was doing and her answer was the same as mine. She then told me that Caitlyn was going to heart camp at the end of the month. This heart camp is on Catalina Island in California and Rheese really wanted to go to it. We thought about it last year but it made me a little nervous sending him off alone since he was only 10 yrs. old. We were going to try for this year. Wouldn't it have been fun for them to go together. But anyway, she told me that Caitlyn had Rheese's name put on her bag for camp in green rhinestones and she also has a Goofy on her bag. I was so touched. It meant so much to me that this little girl still thought about Rheese and wanted to remember him and take him with her. I am still amazed at how many people my little boy touched in his short life. As I left Wal Mart I had tears streaming down my face. How grateful I am for the Lord's tender mercies.

I'm Peanut Butter and You Are Jelly

I love this video of Rheese and I treasure it so much because it shows how much he loves his baby brother, Troy. Rheese loved to sing to Troy and he loved to hear it. This is the song he sang most of the time. It is by InsideOut and he sings it just the way they do. I had tried to record him once but missed it and never had the chance to try again. It wasn't something that could be set up, it needed to just happen. Right after Rheese died and we were still at the hospital, Trevor showed us this video that he had captured on his phone. My heart soared! I was so grateful that he had it. You can see the love in his smile. What a special moment between brothers.

Rheese's Funeral

I thought I should warn you before your proceed that there are pictures of Rheese after he passed away. I hesitated before I posted them because I didn't know how it would affect some people but then I decided to include them because they are part of his story. I carefully picked which ones to include. I think he looks beautiful in them all.

This is Rheese's casket but it isn't the one we ordered. I was a little upset when I saw that it wasn't the right one but it was still a beautiful casket. Unfortunately, since the funeral was the next morning they weren't able to send us the right one. Our family after we dressed Rheese for the last time. This was such a beautiful experience. I didn't know what to expect or if I'd be able to do it but it was so wonderful to be able to take care of my little boy one last time. I know that when all my kids were little and I was always dressing them or doing their hair or cleaning them up that it became a chore. But when you know it is the last time you truely treasure every moment. I know George and I didn't want to leave. We wanted it to last as long as possible.
Rheese's beautiful casket and flowers. I chose this bouquet because it had all of the kids favorite colors in it. Purple=Cassy, Orange=Chad, Yellow=Seth, Green=Rheese, Red=Lane (Troy doesn't have one yet ; ).) Daddy saying good-bye, one last time.Mom's last kiss until we meet again in heaven.Our last family picture.

You can see that there is a little Goofy in with Rheese to keep him company : ).Dad, Mom and TroyChadSethLane

Special musical number, God Be With You Till We Meet Again Our family releasing our balloons first.
Everyone else releasing them.
The balloons floating to heaven.
The lid of the vault.

Our Little Boy, Rheesey

Rheese was born on February 9, 2000 with multiple heart defects. He underwent 6 heart surgeries along with various other surgeries in his short time on earth. Rheese was a happy little boy. There was something about him that made you smile. He was also a very smart little boy. He asked questions that most of us never would have thought of asking and I didn't know the answer many times. In school, his favorite subject was Social Studies, specifically American History. He would come home and tell us the things he learned. I remember one time we were sitting at the dinner table, Rheese must have been in 2nd grade, and he started talking to us about the White House. He told us all about the fire and the year it happened. He told us about some of the presidents that lived there. He talked for quite a while. I remember sitting there in awe thinking that I couldn't believe that a 7 yr. old was telling us all of this. He also loved the Statue of Liberty. Rheese could tell you what all the symbolism was on her, like the 7 spikes on her crown represented the 7 continents. He liked to talk about her and hoped to one day see her in person. The closest he got was the one in Las Vegas at New York, New York. When George and I went back east in 2009, we got to see the Statue of Liberty. We got a Christmas ornament with her on it and Rheese made sure he got to put it on the tree each year.

Rheese also had a great love for all things Disney. I've always been a huge Disney fan but not like Rheese. He thought about it all the time. He wanted to be an Imagineer when he grew up so that he could design new rides. He couldn't wait to meet Walt Disney and talk to him about Disneyland and I'm sure that he has done just that. I can just imagine him getting up to heaven and saying, "Where's Walt? We need to talk." His 2nd trip to Disneyland was when he was 3 yrs. old. It was just one day and it rained nonstop until evening. It was also crowded. Don't believe people who say that Dis is empty when it rains. We spent most of the day trying to get from ride to ride as quickly as possible or sitting where it was covered. I don't remember how long after that trip this next conversation started happening but it was a while. I'm thinking like 6 mo. to a year. So he comes to me one day and wanted to talk about Dis. He brings up a ride, I don't remember which one but I'm pretty sure it was one in Fantasyland. He then says, "Don't you go this way, this way and this way to get to ____ from____?" I thought about it and I couldn't believe that he had the right directions to the ride. He did it with a few other ones too. He had been there one day, in the rain, while it was crowded a long time before and this 3 or 4 yr. old could tell me exactly where things were? I was shocked, in awe, impressed, surprised and many other things. It was after this that he wanted to talk about Dis all the time. I remember laying on my bed with my eyes closed and opening my eyes only to find Rheese sitting there staring at me. He would say, "You wanna talk about it?" That was code for: Let me talk at you about Dis. He would give us walk thrus on the rides. He would ask why Walt put certain rides in certain places or why he made things the color they were or other questions I couldn't answer. He didn't really want the answer, I don't think, he just liked to talk. Rheese's favorite character was Goofy. When we went to DisneyWorld he got this big, floppy Goofy hat that was way too big for him. It made me laugh when he would wear it. He was so proud to wear that hat. It was so cute!

Tributes to Rheese

Rheese's class made a scrapbook of their memories of him for us. We thought it would be nice to share some of those with everyone.

There is not much left to say. Only the feelings inside can express what we do know. Something that we do know is that he is in a comforting place with no pain.
He got through everything from birth to the end of his perfect life. He came to earth to start his journey, he accomplished life and left. What we know, he made every minute of every day last like it was his very last one.
Sometimes we have no tears left to cry because the most devastating things in life are tried to be left behind. Only now we can think of the memories. Which is the strongest thing you can know a person by.
I have been going through a lot at this point in my life. Nobody had known what was wrong with me. Someone I could talk to that would understand me was Rheese. I went to the hospital many times, for tests and scans. When Rheese had told me about all that he went through, I wasn't scared anymore because someone out there has gone through even more pain than I thought I was going through. His bravery taught and showed me more.
Rheese will always be in my heart and I will never forget him. May you always treasure the memories like I do.
Lovingly,
Julia

Rheese always had a good attitude and an unforgettable smile. I always enjoyed his Disney stories and his sense of humor. I would carry his saxophone for him and he would tell me about Disneyland.

Respectful
Humorous
Edgy
Energetic
Saxophone
Epic

By-Preston

What I am feeling about Rheese is that he won't be able to help me with math and I won't be able to see his smile that came to school with him everyday. He was very respectful to all of the kids.
Rheese told me a lot about Disneyland and it would make me very happy because I have never been to Disneyland before.
I am going to miss him because whenever I saw that big smile on his face it would make me happy because when Mrs. Hoffman would tell us about something I didn't understand he would be there for me.
-Ariel

What I mostly miss about Rheese is his "Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle I'm on FIRE!" I also miss that I've lost a good friend. I'm sad because I can't see him at scouts anymore. I can't play football with him and I don't see him right now. I wish he was still here, but I know he's happy up in heaven talking to Walt Disney. I feel guilty for not being at school that day. Instead I stayed home. I wish I was at school that day.
Rheese's friend, Mason

Rheese W Miller you will always be my friend in my mind and in my heart.
Love your best friend, Simeon

My Memories of Rheese
I didn't know him for long. I wish I had gotten to know him a little bit better. Rheese always brightened my day. Whether it was his smile or his laugh. He made me happy. I love how he knew everything about Disney! He could go on all day talking about it.
I do wish he got to know his little brother Troy better. Rheese always talked about him!!! I bet Troy will have a smile just as big as Rheese. I loved his personality and sense of humor.
Rheese was a great friend, and he still is in my heart.
Love, Savannah

Dear Rheese's parents,
I'm really sorry that your son has passed away. I miss him, my classmates miss him too. We used to always see his bright smile whenever we went to school. After we did lunch count we sang a song and he always said "sizzle, sizzle I'm on fire!" He was such a nice, sweet, and caring person. He used to talk about Disneyland and that when he passed away he wanted to talk to Walt Disney. I used to help carry his saxophone to his band class.
Classmate and friend, Jessica

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Miller,
I'm sorry that Rheese died. I'm Connor. What I liked most about Rheese was that his lifetime goal was to ride Screamin, he did accomplish it.
I lost a good friend, but I think he is bugging Walt Disney right now with all his questions. He will always be in our hearts. We will miss him a lot.

I sat next to Rheese for a long period of time and he was definitely full of surprises! What I remember most about Rheese is when he'd tell me all his exciting stores about Disneyland and Disney World. He'd also tell me facts about Walt Disney, he sure did know a lot and think of him as a hero!
I also remember that he said when he gets older he's definitely going to Disney college! Then when he graduates, guess where he wants to work...Disney. Of course. Probably at the famous California Screamin'!
The past month or so we've been learning about planets and he shouts, "My favorite planet is Saturn! (Because of the rings.) Our table started laughing!
Another time, at art masterpiece, Rheese and Simeon were playing around. Simeon said something and Rheese responds, "If your Mama were to sell something on E-bay it'd be YOU!"
Rheese William Miller was born February 9, 2000 and died March 11, 2011. He had a happy and full life. He accomplished so, so much, and I think he's happy with his live.
With love, Kaya
Rheese, you always got a friend in me!

Dear Rheese's parents',
I'm a student in Rheese's class and I know how hard it is to lose someone. Rheese was a good friend to everyone. He was just a joyful guy. I remember when he wanted to move Disneyland to Arizona.
-Dakota

Respectful person
Has a Great, Big, Smile
Elvis Impression
Extraordinary Personality
Sizzle, Sizzle, I'm on Fire!!
Exceeded Expectations

Rheese was my best friend and still is my best friend. I will miss his presence here at school and will miss his smile, Elvis impression, and mostly him. I will also miss his saxophone playing.
I WILL MISS YOU RHEESE!!!!!!!!!!
Love, Your Friend, Lauren

Rheese was the type of person that smiled all the time. No wonder he loved the Disney characters, they are always happy just like Rheese! He was a wonderful friend.
-Madalyn

My memory about Rheese is so special because he sat next to me in band. I love hearing him play his saxophone. He smiles while he blows. It's a true talent! It's going to be hard to get used to not seeing him anymore.
With love, Zoe