We walked into Miller Brothers’ Creamery last night at 4:55, not realizing that they close at 5 o’clock. Quickly, we got to the business of ordering ice cream to bring to the tackle shop to share with John. One more customer snuck in behind us, looking for two scoops of chocolate ice cream. Irene, the 89-year-old store owner, lifted her right arm with a bright pink cast on it, and politely asked him to wait his turn, as she would not be able to scoop his ice cream. I smiled at Irene, held up my purple-casted right arm and said, “We’re twins!”
While the gal scooped our ice cream, Irene and I proceeded to commiserate about being right-handed with casted right arms. Left-handed eating, teeth-brushing, face-washing, showering, dressing, etc. We also shared how thankful we are that we have friends and family to help us.
As we left with our ice cream, I said goodbye to Irene, and she said, “Thanks for the laugh!” Walking out to the car, the kids asked me, “What did she mean by that, Mom?” I explained that knowing that someone else is going through what you are, and being able to laugh about it together, certainly does ease the burden. Reminds me of the quote my friend Rita just shared in her blog that I read yesterday:
“Friends multiply our joys and divide our sorrows.”
The last 11 days have been full of ups and downs, joys and sorrows. Thankfully, there have been a lot more ups than downs, thanks to the wonderful people that God has surrounded me with. I apologize in advance if I miss your name, but I specifically want to thank my mom, my dad, John, Joshua, Jordan Rose, my brother Rick, the roller rink manager Cheryl, the doctors and nurses I’ve seen, all of the K-Rock families, our waitress at Louie’s Ham, Rita and her friends, Laura who called and chatted and laughed this morning, and of course Ms. Irene from Miller Brothers’ Creamery. You have all multiplied my joy and divided my sorrow. Thanks for the laughs!
Beth's blog 
Great insight as usual!
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I have the fondest memories of visiting Miller Bros. as a child. My awesome grandmother, whose life was cut too short by cancer when I was just 11 years old, used to take me there regularly for a beautiful Blue Moon ice cream cone. Just thinking about it warms my heart. I have since visited as an adult and always enjoyed the experience. Some places just have a way of remaining special in our lives, likely due to the wonderful people we associate with them, Miller Bros. is one of those places for me. Thanks for sharing your insight, and I hope you both heal up quickly!
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Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and memories. Beautiful. I do hope Irene is healing well. I need to stop in and see how she’s doing. I’m in my 2nd week of physical therapy and my arm is healing, thank goodness. Thanks again!!
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Every time I hear or read “Miller Bros.” I remember Blue Moon ice cream!!! Have never found it anywhere else!
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Irene is the best!
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Any body remember getting ice cream in a soup bowl at the original Miller Bros. they used to charge 5c a scoop and 5c for every other item placed in the bowl. you could have one heck of a treat for a quarter or more. that was back in the day!!!!!
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My Grandmother was the daughter of one of the original Miller Brothers.
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Thank you for this story. I met Irene when she first worked at the creamery. She told stories to my grandchildren from when I was a child making purchases from her. She has always been a people lover, a wonderful lady. You brought tears to my eyes, just seeing her pic. Thank you.
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