Dooley Day Week

October 18th is Dooley Day around here! But since I’m a day late in getting this post together, I figure we can just make it Dooley Day Week! Kind of like how people have Birthday weeks! 🙂

On October 18th, 2002, my little brother Ryan (we called him Dooley- explanation here) went home to be with Jesus. He was in a car accident on October 17th and took his final breath on October 18.

Everyone who knew Dooley loved him! He was so smart, really tall, super funny, extraordinarily handsome, and could sketch like nobody else I’ve ever known! There are so many other great attributes I could mention, but these are the first that come to mind! His passing left holes in so many hearts. That’s Dooley in the middle 🙂

But because Dooley loved Jesus, my family and I have great peace that he is in a better place. The hole that was left in my heart has been filled up with joy from great memories, thankfulness that Jesus makes it possible for all of us to be together again one day, and love for my family and those around me! You truly never know when your last day on earth will be, so loving those around you is of paramount importance!! Today might be the only chance you have!

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I had the unique (/wonderful/NERVE-RACKING!) opportunity to share how Dooley’s death changed the way I live a couple of years ago at a church women’s conference. I really did enjoy taking the time to put it all down into writing and sharing with a wonderful group of women. You can read it here if you have a few minutes! It’s the full story, and I cry every time I read it, so you might need a tissue 🙂

For a more lighthearted Dooley Day (/WEEK!) reading, click here and read about why I decided that we all need to eat a Reese’s treat in honor of Dools! This story is somewhat embarrassing, but I still laugh out loud when I read it, so hopefully you will, too. I attribute my enjoyment of bathroom humor to growing up with two brothers 😉

I say let’s use this week to post a Reese’s you ate in Dooley’s honor (they’re zero calories when you enjoy one for this reason!) or a funny Dooley memory or a Dooley picture and celebrate the life and the love that Ryan Patrick Miller left behind 🙂 And if you’re into hashtags, feel free to use #rememberingdooley so I can hopefully see what you post!

You can see more Dooley Day posts here if interested! 🙂

Thanks SO MUCH for stopping in today! It really and truly means the world to me! Go show some love to your people! xoxo!