I miss the dignified man in the pulpit and the great-grandfather sitting on the floor with the little ones.

I miss the collared shirts and sweater vests on some days and the absurd golfing outfits on others.

I miss the world traveler who was always eager to spend time with family.

I miss the highly competent computer user who tended to print out everything, then tear the sheet in half and shred it once he was done with it.

I miss the stories, from the silliness of the wide-mouthed frog to the amazing works of God in astonishing places.

I miss the careful record keeper who apparently blocked out all memory of everything negative from my childhood.

I miss the avid game player of card and board games who was so willing to lose computer games to his grandchildren.

I miss the devoted man who spent daily time in study and prayer and worked hard to share his faith with children and grandchildren.

I miss the man who loved his family without condition, both those who believed as he did and those who did not.

I miss the only member of my family of origin who tried to call me “Mary Elaine” instead of Mary, and did the same for others who chose to adjust their childhood names.

I miss the jokes, bad puns though they often were.

I miss his laugh, from the chuckles to the full-throated belly laughs.

I miss one of my biggest cheerleaders, certainly the biggest cheerleader for this blog.

On what would have been his 81st birthday, I miss my dad. I’m grateful that he is free of pain and rejoicing in heaven, but I miss him here on earth.

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 ESV