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

I will admit, I am lucky to have a great Dad who has been there for me over the years. I got to spend some extra time with them a couple of years ago as I was recovering from a serious car accident, an accident I sadly must admit that I was not wearing my seatbelt in. 

Going off on a tangent here, please make sure you buckle up every time you get into a car. You never know when you might be involved in a car wreck. It doesn’t matter how short the trip is, take the time to buckle up. My wreck only happened a couple of miles from my residence at that time. If it happened to me, it could happen to anyone.

Anyway, my Dad and Mom took me in for about three months because there was no way I could live on my own with having the injuries I did, especially a house where I had to go up stairs and would have trouble getting in and out of the bathtub.

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

As I am not married and I don’t have kids, I didn’t really have anyone who could help me. If it wasn’t for them, I don’t know how I would have gotten through that time in my life where I could get back to full strength.

While I am thankful for that, it’s much more than that with my parents. They have helped make me the person I am today. They’ve 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’ve needed help. I know I am very fortunate to have them with me, and it will be impossible to pay them back for everything that they’ve done for me.

I realize many of you weren’t as fortunate to have your Dad there with you in life for one reason or another. As I’ve grown older, dads may not be your biological dad or even your legal guardian. Dads can be people who have mentored you or who have been there for you. Some Dads in your life might have been teachers, coaches, principals, Sunday school teachers, scoutmasters, neighbors, family friends and uncles, just to name a few. Anyone who has had a fatherly influence on you can count as a dad.

To everyone who has served in some capacity as your father, I wish you a Happy Father’s Day. I hope you get a chance to talk with the fathers in your life and thank them.

Brent Maze is the publisher of The Selma Times-Journal. He can be reached at at brent.maze@selmatimesjournal.com.