Nashville loses trusted voice of Dan Miller

No – I’m doing just fine – really. Yesterday morning’s Tennessean headlined the news that our 30-year NBC affiliate news anchor here in Nashville had died of a heart attack. And he just happened to have the same name as I do. Today’s paper has the headline: Nashville loses trusted voice of Dan Miller. That Dan was a very trusted and respected personality here in Nashville.

I must admit I have read through all the kind things being said about Dan Miller. Don’t we all wonder what will be said about us the day after we’re gone? In Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, author Stephen Covey says we all want to: Live, Love, Learn and Leave a Legacy. I trust that I am doing each of those well.

What would people be saying about you if yesterday you had a heart attack and died unexpectedly? How would those closest to you remember their last encounter? How would your boss or employees be describing you? How would the waitress who forgot to leave the onions off your hamburger remember you? What about that mechanic who tried but failed to fix the rattle in your car?

We don’t create a “legacy” by planning the last year of our lives. No, we are creating our “legacy” right now – every day, by every single act we do, every word we say, and every thought we allow to grow in our minds. Put your own name in the headline above and imagine how you would be remembered today.

Tags: covey, dan, died, legacy, miller, stephen, tennessean

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Comment by Dan Miller on April 12, 2009 at 7:24am: Archie -- thanks for your comments. Yeah -- we got lots of calls regarding my well being. Dave Ramsey's office got lots of calls wondering if it was really me. We even had tearful messages left on our voice mails. The newsman Dan Miller was a great guy and will be missed. I, on the other hand, intend to be around for a very long time yet.

Comment by Archie Winningham on April 12, 2009 at 6:10am: My wife first got the names mixed up and said it was Dan Rather. I thought that until I watched some headlines on the news. However when I first turned the news on, I got this aweful feeling that it was our own 48days Dan. I don't know if this is wrong or selfish, but I was so relieved to know that it wasn't our Dan.
This Easter morning I am most thankful that our awesome 48Days/No More Mondays briliant matermind is still alive and kicking! At the same time I pray for the family Mr. Miller leaves behind. It is a tragic loss for them, and for the news media as well. He will be missed. I believe he has been on Channel 4 here in Nashville every since I was a kid.

Comment by Daniel Hadaway on April 11, 2009 at 10:11am: It's also a great reminder to tell people how great we think they are while they're still with us. Seeing his coworkers talk about how he was the absolute definition of a professional was very nice... But I wonder how many of them were thinking "I wish I had a chance to tell him this myself".

It's my hope that we all would live in a way that leaves nothing unsaid, and no chance of regret.

Comment by Theresa on April 10, 2009 at 7:23am: The memorial they had on the newscast last night was very touching. I have no idea how Demetria held it together so well.
Dan seems like he was a genuinely wonderful person and yes....when I hear the tributes paid it does lead me to reflect on the life I am leading right now.
It also causes me to consider the brevity of life and the uncertainty of each day. We simply don't know when God is going to call us home. I am saddened by his death.....but relieved this was not another Dan Miller I know. ;)