Imago Voices Q and A

Hi! My name is Renae Miller and I serve on Formation Team and serve as the Chair of the Leadership Team. You may have seen me at service but we might not know each other well. Formation team’s idea to get to know each other better was to have a few people in leadership share more of their selves by choosing some questions from a pre-written question bank, with the hopes that more and more of us could do this over time and then we could draw closer together even when we are somewhat separated in this strange world we live in. Here goes…

What would constitute the “perfect” day for you?

My eyes are immediately drawn to the word “perfect” in the question- as an Enneagram 1 we are nicknamed perfectionists. While all the time knowing that “perfect” is unattainable, nevertheless we continue to strive for improvement. But I digress… a really good day for me would begin by wrapping my introverted self in a blanket and reading, sitting in a chair and warmed by the rays of the sun. I’d have time to wander over to my piano and sing and play a little. The weather would be beautiful so I’d spend time outside walking around or hiking in a fun spot- there’d be time to notice the sky and the way that God is ever present, as accessible as breath and full of love for all of us. I’d eat delicious food that someone else prepared- a heaping plate of roasted vegetables and a small sweet treat at the end. I might spend time writing or working on a crafting project, or maybe I’d dance around the house (alone!!!). By the evening, I’d be ready to hang out with my husband and two children (Adam- 10, Hannah- 7) and our Havanese dog, Juniper. We’d once again eat delicious food that someone else prepared, my children would magically eat without complaint, and then we’d play board games or snuggle watching a movie. The evening would end reading to each other and then I’d read alone and fall asleep. I guess the grateful part is that while some of those things are pipe dreams (seriously, whose kids eat without complaint?) some of them I have access to on the daily- and for that I am immensely grateful.

 When did you last sing to yourself? To someone else?

I love to sing- I do it daily in the car or the shower or while making dinner. I really enjoy singing in the Peoria Area Civic Chorale. I’m fairly terrified to sing by myself in public, but annoy my family with it regularly.

 If you were able to live to the age of 90 and retain either the mind or body of a 30-year-old for the last 60 years of your life, which would you want?

I would definitely choose to retain the mind- I’d write books, I’d learn languages, I’d travel as much as my physically aging body would allow. I’d teach courses and mentor young psychotherapists (that’s my day job). I’d read all the books I don’t have time to read now but want to.

 If you knew that in one year you would die suddenly, would you change anything about the way you are now living? Why?

This is a question I’ve been thinking about a lot more lately. Since I learned this week that I have surgery scheduled for the end of the month to remove my uterus which has been harboring and manufacturing pre-cancerous cells (traitorous body part!), it has definitely made me notice my physical fragility in new ways. I think I would definitely quit my day job and spend more time with my family- I’d write letters to my kids to open as the years passed and they hit milestones without me. Facebook doom scrolling would no longer hold my interest- I’d want to experience with all my senses so much more of the created world. I’d be less interested in holding onto what I have and more interested in generosity, because clearly I’d be taking nothing with me. This is a good question that challenges my daily habits today.