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The Opener: The “You’re Almost Dead” Moment

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Miller recounts a moment when his 5-year-old niece, Savannah, asked his 84-year-old father how old he was. When he answered, she bluntly responded, “You’re almost dead!” Instead of taking offense, the family laughed, setting the tone for how humor helps them process aging.

The Fictional Twin Brother “Harold”

Miller created a fictional twin, Harold, as an ongoing family joke. Even in their father’s 90s, he would sometimes reference Harold, leading Miller to joke, “Dad, you better watch it. I could just say to the authorities I don’t know what he’s talking about!”

Dad’s Sarcasm and Quick Wit

From joking about the Revolutionary War to questioning what to do when his
pacemaker battery runs out, his remarks added levity even in difficult moments.

 

Mom's Unfiltered Honesty 

Her blunt reaction to your shorts being ugly, or her comment about childbirth when you
mentioned her pain, highlight how her humor remained intact even in later years.

Final Humor-Filled Moments

The exchange with the funeral home about whether your father would get a meal on his
connecting flight, and your niece’s quip about calling your mom’s grave when you
struggled to find it, show how humor remained a coping mechanism even in grief.