Dooley Day 2024

Ryan Patrick "Dooley" Miller and the legacy he left behind

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It’s the 22nd Dooley Day. That’s what we call the day Ryan Patrick “Dooley” Miller, the baby of our family, went on to Heaven. October 18th is his “Homegoing!” Because he knew Jesus as his redeemer and savior, he’s HOME for eternity. 🙂 That is THE most comforting thought!

I shared this over on IG, so you may have already seen this, but because of a recent accident Wilson had (more on that here), we’ve recently spent a good chunk of time at UMMC hospital. Dooley has been on my mind a LOT lately. More than usual, I’d say. Wilson’s broken arm is what really brought lots of Dooley thoughts up for me. Price and Wilson got to the Batson ER (which is part of the children’s hospital at UMMC) before I did last Tuesday, so as I parked by myself in parking garage B and approached the entrance of the kids’ ER, I looked to my left and saw the exact spot- the doors of the room in the grown up ER- where our family heard the news that Dooley probably wasn’t going to make it. The space between the two ERs is where I walked out to get some air on October 17, 2002, to find so many friends there to rally around us. To hug us and let us cry and pray with us. So to be back in that exact space was something I can’t quite describe.

That space, though. That gray pavement between the two ERs. That’s where I first really profoundly realized the power of community. I was overwhelmed by it in October 2002 and (by God’s perfect providence?) I’ve been overwhelmed by the goodness of it all over again this October as we have been so well loved during Wilson’s arm situation.

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Ryan Patrick "Dooley" Miller and the legacy he left behind

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Ryan Patrick "Dooley" Miller and the legacy he left behind

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I really miss Dooley and wish I could’ve hugged him tight just one more time. I wish Price and my kids could’ve known him. Because of heaven, though, I know they’ll meet him one day! (If we want to get technical, I KNOW Price, LR, and Wilson will! Demps hasn’t made that decision yet but I fervently pray that day comes!)

Something the kids and I have made a tradition of is having a Reese’s taste test each year around this date. This all stemmed from THIS story (which is terribly embarrassing but still kinda great!) and now it’s something we really look forward to! (Side note: I couldn’t find Reese’s Pieces this year, but I looked at probably four different stores and they were nowhere to be found! That’s why they aren’t present this year!)

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Ryan Patrick "Dooley" Miller and the legacy he left behind

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Ryan Patrick "Dooley" Miller and the legacy he left behind

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Here’s a little video highlighting this year’s Reese’s tasting! And yes, we had a TON of leftovers. Don’t start thinking we didn’t keep moderation in mind! 😉

If you personally knew Dooley, I hope you’re having a good time #rememberingdooley and all the joy be brought to SO MANY! If you didn’t, I hope you now feel like you knew him just a little bit. Or I hope he somehow brings you a smile!

Dear God,

I pray that you would speak to even just one person this year through Dooley’s life and death and faith in you. YOU, God, are our greatest hope. Our ONLY hope. We love you, Lord. Amen!

2 Comments

  1. Ted Poore October 18, 2024 / 5:08 pm

    Laurel, thanks so much for sharing Dooley Day with us! And, I just wanted to let you know that our school theme of “Why ya here!” is being played out through lots of conversations all across the district. Thanks again to you and your family for allowing us to use Dooley’s question to help motivate our teachers & staff throughout the year to make a positive difference in the lives of our students! Ted Poore

  2. Debbie Campbell October 19, 2024 / 8:14 am

    What a treasure of memories! How special is it that Dooley is still impacting the lives of people, boys and girls even today! To think that the teachers of Madison County had Dooley’s word spoken to and over them this year at the opening convocation! I’m thankful that I got to know you as a fifth grader and likewise your family, including Dooley. I’m thankful, now, that I get to watch you be a parent, to influence others to love Jesus, and to always remember Dooley’s story. That is such a gift!

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