Renee Roissier Miller

Today, 11/12/2009, marks the 51st anniversary of the birth of a truly great person, Renee Roissier Miller.  It will also be the first time she isn’t here to participate in the event.  In keeping with this country’s tradition of celebrating great people’s lives on the date of their birth I thought I would create a partial list of things Renee loved.  Those who knew her will no doubt remember some of her loves, those who didn’t will get a little insight into just how special she was.

Renee loved being a Mom: she was the most natural mother I’ve ever seen.  She loved her children so much, each one of them.   She truly enjoyed her children and was able to let each one of them know how special they are.   Nurturing and being around children brought her great pleasure.

Renee loved animals: horses, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, llamas, sheep, goats, ducks, parrots, the various reptiles and amphibians her boys ( and sometimes her husband ) brought home. She loved all animals and they loved her.  A real life Dr Dolittle who had an almost surreal connection to all creatures.  She really did walk with and talk with the animals.

Renee loved to have a good time.  Her laughter was contagious. There was no such thing as a dull party or gathering if Renee was present. Open, honest, direct, and FUN. There were no strangers for long if Renee was in the room. People enjoyed being around her and she bailed out many hosts with her gift for bringing people together and getting them to relax enough to enjoy themselves.

Renee loved the color red. Red car, red furniture, red appliances, red clothes, red notebooks, purses, knick knacks , whatever.  Red really fit her. Fiery, beautiful, strong, sensuous, somehow she almost became the color.  In my mind red might just as well be called Renee.  I can’t see the color red without thinking of Renee.

Renee loved a good cup of coffee. Brewed in her red coffee pot.  Loved the smell of it, grinding the beans, just sitting down with the warm mug while she planned her day.  A simple pleasure we often did together and even when we were apart, she shared her morning ritual with me by telephone.

Renee loved cherry wheat beer. Maybe part of it was the red label but there is a unique aroma and flavor, too. Some of my best evenings were spent drinking cherry wheat with Renee. Date night was often us driving through mountains splitting a six pack. Not a big drinker she would drink one and maybe have a sip of another while I would drink the rest. We would talk for hours about everything under the sun. Where we were going, where we had been, the kids, life, you name it – we discussed it.

Renee loved sports and what they did for her kids. She was at the wrestling matches, football games, soccer games, swim meets, horse shows etc. If her kids were playing, she was there. Not content to be a spectator she often was the coach. It was her plan this year to coach a kids wrestling program which would have included her youngest kids. With her dance and gymnastics background she figured she could learn some wrestling moves as well. At the very least she laughed at least the kids would be able to do a decent cartwheel and they would have a good time. Very sad for me she never got the chance to coach kids wrestling. I would wager she would have been terrific.

Renee loved to read. She read a variety of things, a lot of parenting books, fiction for pleasure, a wide assortment of magazines and newsletters.

Renee loved to learn. This ties in with her love of reading but she always figured she could do anything. If she didn’t know it, she would learn it. No task intimidated her. She would read about a subject, go to a seminar, go online, make phone calls, whatever it took. I found notes of what she planned to learn and wanted to do in the future. Really amazing to see the ambition she still had at age 50 to continue to learn and do even more with her life.

Renee loved the mountains. Living in Alaska surrounded by the highest peaks on the continent was a dream come true for Renee. Trips to Colorado and the other Rocky Mountain states filled her with awe. Even the tame by comparison Smokey Mountains of east Tennessee brought her great joy.

Renee loved water: the ocean, bays, lakes, rivers, creeks, even pools.  She loved getting wet, just being around water made her happy.

Renee loved accomplishing things. Painting, wallpapering, remodeling, planting, gardening, anything that could be improved by some effort she took joy in.

Renee loved being involved.  A fixture at school, coaching, meetings, helping others. She had a seemingly endless supply of energy and she freely shared it with a huge variety of people and causes.

Renee loved her family. Her parents, siblings, children, inlaws, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, the whole family tree.  All were special to her.

Renee loved her husband: not sure why but she really did.  For 30 years she thought I was the greatest.  Made me feel like a million bucks and was so much better than I deserved or could have hoped for before I met her.  I will forever be humbled that she cared so much for me.  She loved me unconditionally – despite my numerous faults – was my best friend, lover, mentor, soulmate, conscience and inspiration. To steal a line from Jack Nicholson in the movie “As Good As It Gets”, she made me want to be a better man.

We miss you; we love you, Renee, today and every day.

-jamie