Brent Maze: Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there – The Selma Times‑Journal

Brent Maze

Sunday is the day we take time to honor the fathers in our community as we celebrate Father’s Day.

I’ll admit, I’m lucky to have a great dad who’s been there for me over the years. I got to spend some time with them a few years ago while recovering from a serious car accident, an accident in which I unfortunately had to admit I was not wearing a seat belt.

Going off on a tangent here, make sure you buckle up every time you get into a car. You never know when you might be involved in a car wreck. No matter how short the trip, take the time to fasten your seat belt. My wreck happened only a few miles from my residence at the time. If it happened to me, it could happen to anyone.

Anyway, my mom and dad took me in for about three months because there was no way I could live on my own with the injuries I had done, especially a house where I had to climb stairs and had trouble getting in and out. Bath tub.

Dad stayed with me at the hospital for the next few days until I was moved from the ninth floor to UAB Hospital. He got me things, even when I wanted some Panera Bread or Chick-Fil-A instead of hospital food.

Since I am not married and have no children, I had no one to help me. If it wasn’t for them, I don’t know how I would have gotten past that point in my life where I could get back to full strength.

While I’m grateful for that, there’s so much more to my parents than that. They helped make me the person I am today. They taught me a lot of lessons that I still use today. They allowed me to find my way in life while helping me when I needed help. I know I am very lucky to have them with me and it will be impossible to repay them for all they have done for me.

I realize that many of you were not as fortunate to have your father there alive for one reason or another. As we got older, fathers may not be your biological father or even your legal guardian. Fathers can be people who have mentored you or been there for you. Some fathers in your life may have been teachers, coaches, principals, Sunday school teachers, Boy Scouts, neighbors, family friends, and uncles, just to name a few. Anyone who had a fatherly influence on you can be considered a father.

To all who have served in some capacity as a father, I wish you a happy Father’s Day. I hope you get a chance to talk to the parents in your life and thank them.

Brent Maze is the editor of The Selma Times-Journal. He can be reached at [email protected].