This just in …
In memory of Miles …This past week has been an emotional time for all of us here at the Messenger as we said goodbye to beloved columnist Miles A. Davin Sr., who passed away on January 31.
Miles penned the popular and long-running column “All About Greene” that ran for years in our publication as well as in the Herald-Standard. The column was perfect for this weekly publication because he wrote a great deal about Greene County folklore and history, all with a gentle and whimsical style of writing that was unmistakably Miles.
I have known Miles for quite a few years, but I admit that I didn’t really get to know him on a personal level until he started writing his column for us. And as the months wore on, we could always count on the occasional Miles visit.
There were many times when he would drop by at the Messenger office to hand me his column, and we would end up just sitting in the lobby and talking about his memories of Greene County. Actually, that’s not accurate; more often than not, he would do all the talking while I just sat and intently listened as he shared his many stories about the interesting people, places and events in Greene’s past.
And what I loved about his stories was that I knew he enjoyed telling them as much as I enjoyed hearing them. No matter what he talked about – whether it was his wife, his kids growing up, his old friends or his younger days – there was always a twinkle in his eye, a smile on his lips. You could hear it in his voice and see it on his face: He LOVED Greene County. And there is no doubt that Greene County loved him back.
I cherished those talks with him, but I must admit (with a great deal of shame) that there unfortunately were a few times when Miles would stop by to visit and I told him I was much too busy to see him. A day hasn’t gone by since his passing that I wish I could take those days back.
As the editor of a newspaper, one of my bigger jobs here is to proofread and edit all of the articles and columns that are published each week. Many times, this responsibility can be quite burdensome, as I have to carefully read and reread dozens of files and documents to make sure there are no errors or legal issues. But I must admit that I looked forward to reading Miles’ column each week because I felt like I was getting a little Greene history lesson, served with a little humor and whole lot of charm.
I felt like I was either learning something I never knew about our little rural neck o’ the woods, or I was being reminded of a place or event that I had enjoyed when I was a kid. (A perfect example: Last year, Miles wrote a column recalling his memories of the legendary Bryan’s Dairy.
Until I read that column, I had forgotten how much I loved that place when I was a kid, and how I spent many summer days in the 70s hopping on my Huffy bike to get a delicious scoop of ice cream. I’ll never forget that memory now for as long as I live, and I have Miles to thank for that.)
But it wasn’t until last year when I began to realize just how special Miles was to Greene County. Thanks to a Messenger feature written by Tara Kinsell that was published shortly before Miles’ 80th birthday last year, I learned just how accomplished of a life he really lived. He served in the Navy, enrolled at Waynesburg College, started his own contracting business, worked on the statue of Gen. Nathanael Greene that sits atop the courthouse, and wore many hats – firefighter, little league football coach, painter artist, singer and pilot. (In fact, he was named Pilot of the Year in 2006). At the risk of sounding corny, he was a man whose life traveled many miles…and he apparently enjoyed each and every one of them.
I know that there were far more people in this area who knew Miles a lot longer than I did, who were closer friends with him than I could ever have been.
But I can honestly say that in the short time I did know him it was an honor to be his friend. He was a profound influence on me, not just as a writer but as a kind and caring human being, someone who personally showed just how much better the world could be if everyone were just a little nicer.
I’ll never forget the time several years ago when I attended a funeral service and someone offered this simple compliment about his departed friend: “Just by knowing him, I became a better person.”
So I say to you, Miles: Thank you for your friendship. Just by knowing you, I – and many, many others – became a better person. You will be greatly missed…
…Before I close this week’s column, I just wanted to wish my mother a “Happy Birthday” (I’d mention how old she is, but then I’d have to enter into Witness Protection.)
Anyway, I don’t know if I’m just feeling extra emotional this week, but I wanted to sincerely thank her for all that she has done for me over the years. In a column I wrote last month about my father on his birthday, I mentioned how sorry I was for being such a bratty kid who gave him so many premature gray hairs…and I feel like I owe my mother an even bigger apology.
One of the best things about growing older has been that I’ve been able to look back at the many mistakes I made and realize how much my parents loved me unconditionally, no matter how many times I said or did stupid things that hurt them. And even better, as the years go by it’s comforting to see us becoming closer and growing in our relationship.
I can only hope that one day I will able to be to have a close, special and trusting relationship with my own kids like the one I share with my folks now.
So thanks for everything, Mom…and Happy Birthday!