Kirk Miller art

I wanted to share a picture book I recently created with my cousin that commemorates a story written by my uncle about the adventures he shared growing up with my father.

Years ago, my uncle, Roger Miller, wrote this story in a senior writing class after retiring. While cleaning out her childhood home, my cousin Cynthia discovered Roger’s story tucked away in a pile of old family photos and papers. She immediately recognized its importance and felt it deserved to be preserved and shared with the rest of our family. That’s where I came in—Cynthia, not being especially tech-savvy, asked for my help in designing the book. Our Aunt Lucy also played an important role by contributing many of the family photos that helped illustrate the story.

I was deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute. One of the most poignant parts of this process was uncovering memories my father, Tommy, had quietly preserved in a box beside his bed. Though he never spoke of his wartime experiences, the keepsakes he left behind told a powerful story. His brief but moving war diary, dog tags, sketches from major invasions, and photos of his fellow soldiers all spoke volumes about a chapter of his life he had kept private. These artifacts revealed the significance of his role in WWII and allowed us a rare glimpse into a part of him he rarely shared.

My Brother Tom and Me