Heather Miller

I never met Heather but I will look her up someday.  She was a courageous warrior who changed the world around her with a smile, a zest for life, and her F.R.O.G. philosophy.

Heather was a 10-year-old tomboy when she was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare form of bone and tissue cancer.  She fought for 15 months but lost her battle with cancer on January 29, 2010.  She was only 11.  I am told that she always had a huge smile on her face and that she never complained, even through the unbearable pain that she suffered.  She loved the Steelers and was so excited to meet Troy Polamalu on one of his visits to the Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh.  On their first meeting, Troy gave Heather a Greek Orthodox yam bracelet.  Heather gave Polamalu a green rubber bracelet with her motto on it - F.R.O.G.  Heather's mother said Polamalu refused to talk about his football fame but instead would play 'Rock Band" with Heather for hours at a time.  He also sent her text messages to let her know that he was thinking about her before and then after the Steeler's Super Bowl victory.

So what was it that captivated a tough football legend?  Heather's real legacy was her F.R.O.G. life philosophy that she shared openly and lived daily.  F.R.O.G is an acronym for "Fully Rely on God".  Such a simple message so effectively lived by a small little girl.  Well done Heather Miller. Thank you for showing us how to live and how to make the most of our lives, no matter how long or short it may be.

As a sidenote, I became aware of Heather through my niece, Stefanie.  Stefanie's life was changed by spending time with Heather and now Stefanie shares her faith and her adopted F.R.O.G. life philosophy openly.  In effect, Heather has affected our family tree and her legacy lives on.

Heather Miller and the Steelers