Today, more than most, I miss my dad.

It’s been 9 ½ years since I got the phone call every family member dreads – the one that turned our lives upside down, telling us “he’s gone”. In that time the sadness has become bearable, our routines have changed, and our lives have moved on, but still…

Every time I see someone who looks like him out of the corner of my eye, I miss him.

Every time I see an inviting hiking path or a rock I can’t identify, I miss him.

Every time I read a great new book I would have liked to pass along to him, I miss him.

Every time I travel to some part of the world I would have wanted to share with him, I miss him.

Every time my sons reach a major milestone he would have been proud of celebrating, I miss him.

Most of all, every time I want to turn and thank him for all he gave to us and remind him how much I love him and miss him.

So, I tell him anyway, today and frequently, that I do. I think he hears.

Happy Fathers’ Day, Dad.

And thanks to all the other fathers in my life – my husband, my father-in-law and my friends and family, who make it a priority to be there for family. Happy Fathers’ day to you as well!