“When David Miller and I first met I was thirteen years old. I had spent the previous three months traveling to every school, private and public alike, having meetings to see if I would be allowed to attend each institution. I had been “blacklisted”, every school I went to replied with some variation of the following, “we just don’t believe that our school would be a good fit for him”, with a public criminal record and misdemeanor drug charges homeschooling became a more and more real possibility for my future. On top of a consistent track record of drug and alcohol abuse, I had developed some suicidal tendencies, destructive and sometimes violent habits, a minor eating disorder, and worst of all the complete loss of hope. I was stuck in a dark place much like you read about in adventure novels and Greek tragedies where the hero has become shipwrecked and is lost at sea knowing his own grim fate. In my mind I was alone, my family did not understand, and my friends had vanished. My mind had become a prison cell, with each anti-depressant and tranquilizer I took a mark was etched on the wall, counting down my days. Then, as warming as a spring sunrise after a bitterly cold night I heard Dave’s voice, ” I understand, and I think we help each other.” After a period of time observing me continue in my self destructive ways David began to help me see a way out of the dark place I had become so accustomed to. He treated me as a good friend should, with empathy and respect, willingness to listen, and necessary objective honesty. The difference for me between David and a good friend is that he had an arsenal of experience and understanding along with his education that had been earned through his own struggles out harsh times. For the first time in my life someone truly knew the thoughts and emotions running through my head, and he didn’t try to fix me, rather he helped me gain control over my defects and enhance my assets. I am coming up on seven years sober in a little less than a month, I have attended a state university, I am currently furthering my education at a technical trade school, and most importantly I am happy with my life as each day passes. I can confidently say that without David’s help I would still be stuck in that terribly dark place. Now, each day of my life begins brightly, and although I may find strife along the way I now have the tools I need to work through anything in my path.”
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“David Miller has unequivocally been one of the best and most important influences on my life. I came to Humanex after I was in a psychiatric hospital for bipolar disorder, social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The hospital helped, but I was still a pretty bad place. Dave and the other teachers at Humanex nurtured my confidence and my blooming passions for psychology and criminology. Dave was especially helpful on this front – he gave me personalized education on psychology and was full of advice and suggestions on how I could improve and diversify my knowledge. He helped me with college applications, and I was accepted to the University of Denver as well as awarded the Provost academic scholarship. I majored in psychology and criminology, and found that I was miles ahead of other students as a result of the personalized education I got from Humanex but Dave especially. I graduated a quarter early from DU on the Dean’s List with Distinction in Criminology. Mere words cannot express how important David Miller was in getting me to where I am today – I am eternally grateful, and he should be a top choice for anyone who needs help or guidance.”
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David came into my life as the counselor at my high school and at a moment marked by the exceptional fragility, naivety, and insufferable arrogance that so often coincides with becoming a teenager. We all have that small list of people, like a father or close friend, whose influence is not marked by a moment, a phrase, or an anecdote but by something far vaguer and yet paradoxically more consequential. Their influence is defined by countless and seemingly small moments. The accumulation of these moments eventually comes to define part of who and what we are; an inscription on our very soul. It’s only ever obvious in retrospect, that is, once we’ve lived some life while the specter of their influence resides in us. We often reflect not on the moments we had with them, but they themselves, and ask “What would they think of me now? Would they be proud?” David is one of those rare figures in my life; one who’s consequence to me cannot be captured through short narrative or by principals alone because it’s far too big. I cannot imagine my journey toward adulthood without him, and I would not want to.
Who am I? Today, nearly a decade passed since high school, I can earnestly say that I am fundamentally happy. I’m a good friend, and an even better husband. I’m insatiably passionate in my work as the teacher, social activist, and scientist I never even dreamt nor hoped I could be. I’m respected and admired by my peers, unrelenting in my causes, and charitable to a fault. I’m loving, kind, and alive. Subtract David’s influence and I know the answer to the question would be different; I’d be much less than I am today. I’d be less happy, less alive, and less successful. He is one of those principal catalysts necessary in every potential I’ve fulfilled. I cannot thank David for any single success or strength of character I’ve acquired. Like a father or friend I can only thank him for every success and strength of character. I can only thank him for being there; for every seemingly inconsequential moment that’s made me who I am.”
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“I met Dave my sophomore year of high school and wasn’t at my best. I was in a really point in my life and it seemed like all had given up on me, except for Dave. He helped me through so much in high school, and pulled me out of some very dark places and for this I’m for ever grateful. I know I would not be where I am today with out him. Thank you Dave. I miss you!”
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