A short introduction to today’s blog from General Manager, Traci Grote

I met Regina Purvis Miller at The Wichita Business Journal’s Women in Business Program in 2019. Regina had been (mistakenly) seated by me at a table in the back. For anyone that knows Regina, you would not be surprised that she started a conversation with me right away.

When she was asked by the organizers if she wanted to move to her correctly assigned spot closer to the front, she patted me on the hand and said no, she had made a new friend and wanted to stay right where she was. Little did Regina know that I felt the same way the minute we started talking.

Regina possesses a genuine joy that draws people in and I knew I wanted her in my life. She invited me to one of her R. Miller Consulting events and I won a free coaching session in a contest. (It was actually Helen who insisted Regina pick my contest answer!) One session was not enough! And although we are now fast friends who meet EVERY week, we keep our personal and professional “sessions” separate. Because of our friendship and professional relationship this project took on a special meaning at POD Print. It was TRULY our honor to be a part of it.

Name: Regina Miller
Author of The Life Celebration That Never Ends

Please tell us a little about yourself and your motivation for “The Life Celebration That Never Ends”

I am an entrepreneur, business consultant and coach, and owner of two award winning businesses – Trailblazers Academy and R. Miller Consulting, LLC.

But first and foremost, I am a wife and mother. Being a mother is the most rewarding job in the world. Those who know me, know that I lost my daughter Helen on January 16, 2022.

I wrote this book to share the loss I’ve felt since Helen left. This project has been one way I’ve coped and is my way of communicating to the world how special Helen was to me and so many others.

How long did it take to write the book?

At the time of Helen’s death, Trailblazers Academy was in a transition. It had been Helen’s vision to reshape Trailblazers to a smaller footprint in a new facility, offering the same stellar program but with an enhanced focus on literacy. Our family focus was seeing that vision to completion. But even after opening the doors at the new Trailblazers, the book took about 8 months to finish. I started and stopped at least 6 times because it hurt so bad. Trailblazers Assistant Director Jazmine Anne insisted that I find time every day to write.

What are some challenges that you faced putting the book together, and how did you tackle them?

I didn’t want to leave out anyone or anything that was important to Helen. I wanted to preserve her privacy, but I also wanted to share some of her personal losses like her miscarriage – so that people could understand what shaped her beautiful soul.

I wanted to share her story without offending her husband, father or brother.

I asked myself and prayed. What would Helen say? How would Helen say it? I waited to hear her say (as she used to call me) “Ole-Girl” write it like this…

There is no me without my faith. Because of my faith I know that I am not totally lost. I believe that Helen is my Spirit Angel and that she and I are still together. Just not in a physical sense.

I knew I needed editing help but I didn’t know an editor. Then, I became involved in the Being Wichita Women project and met Katie Dakan. I told her about my project and that I only had about five pages written.

She offered to look at it anyway. Her reaction was what I needed. She loved my writing style. She said it was obvious that I was writing through my pain and not to let anyone change it.

How has POD Print helped you achieve your goals?

POD Print has treated my project as special as it is to me. Their attention to detail has been amazing from choice of fonts, to Amy’s remarkable cover design. I told POD Print that I wanted an advanced copy of the book to bring along on my annual vacation to Cape Cod with my husband Jesse.

Helen was supposed to share that vacation with us this year. It was very important the book come along with us. POD Print made that happen!

Now that you have the book in hand, what do you want to do with it?

I want to share this book with the world. I want people to say her name. It is not just our mother/daughter secrets. It is a story of a how mothers and daughters can be best friends. It is truly a celebration of Helen. This has been a huge part of the healing process for me. I don’t expect others to feel the same emotions that I will feel the rest of my life, but I was people to know she LIVED 36 beautiful years.

How can people help or get their own copy?

All proceeds from the sale of Helen’s book will go to the Helen Miller Memorial Foundation that offers scholarships to individuals seeking assistance while pursuing careers in early childhood education. If you would like to make a direct donation to the Helen Miller Memorial Foundation you may do so at any Wichita Emprise Bank location.

To purchase books you may reach out to Regina directly at rrm63virgina@aol.com. “The Life Celebration that Never Ends” is also available on Amazon.