Like Randy Pausch of The-Last-Lecture fame, Derek Miller loved his life and was ready to die. Only 41 years old, Miller prepared his last blog post to be published after he died of stage IV colorectal cancer, leaving behind a beloved wife, two precious daughters and extended family and friends.
Miller was a bundle of talent: a writer and editor specializing in technical and scientific subjects, a drummer, guitarist, singer, recording artist, and photographer.
From Miller's last post:
I've come to realize that, at any time, I can lament what I will never know, yet still not regret what got me where I am.... While I was still alive writing this, I was sad to know I'll miss these things—not because I won't be able to witness them, but because [my family] won't have me there to support their efforts....It turns out that no one can imagine what's really coming in our lives.... inventions and ideas will appear, and events will occur, that we could never foresee. That's neither bad nor good, but it is real.
I think and hope that's what my daughters can take from my disease and death. ... Not that they could die any day, but that they should pursue what they enjoy, and what stimulates their minds, as much as possible—so they can be ready for opportunities, as well as not disappointed when things go sideways, as they inevitably do.
In my next post I'll share what it is about this post that so affected me.
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