Publisher: Cards for Dads

When June rolls around, I always think of my dad—not only because it’s Father’s Day month, but also because it was Daddy’s birthday month. If you’ve read this column over the last year, you are probably aware my dad passed away in January 2018. I think when June rolled around last year, I was still numb. But this year has been different…and harder.

It started a few weeks ago, when I was looking for a graduation card and saw the Father’s Day cards were also out. It hit me—hard. As I gulped to keep my composure, I found a card for my sweet husband and thought, “That’s it. No other cards to buy.” Then I thought about what sweet daddies my brothers are and decided that maybe they needed an unexpected card this year (unless they see this column before the card arrives).

As I stood in the aisle of the store missing my dad and wishing I didn’t have to, another dad popped into my mind. He was my “college dad” when I was away for school in Abilene. His name is Dr. Carl Brecheen. He was my Bible professor at ACU, a mentor, a sounding board, a counselor, a guide, a great conversationalist, a prankster, my dear friend, and yes, a surrogate dad. In fact, it was always just a “given” that my dad, being a preacher, would perform my wedding. The only hiccup I had was the whole “Daddy walking you down the aisle and giving you away” thing. How was THAT going to work? Enter Dr. Brecheen.

Dr. B, as I called him, and his sweet wife Smitty, drove six hours from Abilene to be with Wes and I on our special day to take part and help solve my conundrum. He is the one who asked my daddy, “Who gives this woman?” and then BOTH of those special men conducted our wedding ceremony. How blessed am I?

And yes, Dr. B is getting a card, too.

For those of us who live and work in Huntsville, we have daily opportunities to be involved in the lives of college students. Many are away from home and might be missing their parents, or may even wish they had parents to miss. Either way, I urge you to make the most of the opportunities you have to impact a young man or woman. You may never know how much you mean to them.

But maybe, 33 years from now, an unexpected card will show up in your mailbox.

Until next time,

~ Karen