Today would have been my dad’s 87th birthday. He has been dead almost 6 years now and it seems like forever. My dad was rock-solid and the leader of our family. He knew how to bear the Maney name well.

For some reason I miss him especially keenly today. I miss hearing his voice, miss his presence and his gentle sense of humor, miss going to the shoe store and watching him be part of the community he loved. I miss his stories and his perspective. I miss his advice. I miss seeing him with mom, and I miss her too.

I am sad that as the years we are separated continue to mount, and as my mind inevitably deteriorates with age, that I am going to lose a part of him I cherish, that I am going to be robbed of things I used to know about him and our family. It is already happening because in some ways it seems like he never was, and on this beautiful snowy day I feel particularly alone.

But God did bless me with him for over 50 years and for that I am thankful. Happy birthday, dad. You were born in Christ Hospital this day in Cincinnati 87 years ago. I trust even now you are in Christ’s arms, right where you should be. Thank you for being a wonderful father to me. I love and miss you.