Daddy’s Hole-In-One

May I share my most recent memory of my Dad which will go down in the family Bible, for sure.  He is Dr. Tom Braddock from West Point.  He just retired after practicing medicine for 60 years and delivering about half the
babies born in Clay County  – plus a bunch in Oktibbeha County. He will reach age 85 in August, but continues to work out at the Wellness Center, visit his elderly patients at Dugan Home, and get in a golf work-out every day it doesn’t rain.
 His big day was two weeks ago when he accidentally drove a hole in one on the 12th hole at Old Waverly Country Club.  His eyesight is getting a little dim and he thought his ball went into the woods. His partner informed him it went in the hole.  I can hear him now, saying “Well, I declare.”  He really didn’t think it was such a big deal, but we all did!
 The club management made much of it and took his picture with his Col. Rebel Golf Club – a bit of an embarrassment for me since I’ve defected to the Bulldog side of the stadium. He attended the University of Mississippi Medical School back in the 40s when it was a two –year program. He and my mother lived in the “barracks” and I was raised in the shadow of Ole Miss, whoever she was.  I’ve since found a better place.
 
Emily B. Jones

Motorcycle Girl

This is a photo I took of my daughter Zalei Aki with her father Larry Brownlee Jr. who is trying his best to get her hooked on motorcyles!
 Tunisa Rice

In My Father’s Eyes

Happy Father’s Day to Stanley Nabors!  In being the general operations manager for Starkville Buses/Tours for 25 years and who recently retired in December 2008, to many my father is known as “Stan, the Traveling Man”.(By the way, Happy Retirement, Dad!)  In his life he’s been known as son, brother, husband, uncle, Papaw, employee, employer, teacher, coach, deacon, director, leader, neighbor, and friend.  For my sister and me, we just consider him our Dad, Father Extraordinaire! “Pop” is my own special name for him.
Sometimes in looking back over our lives, the details and memories are a blur.  In fact, just the other day my father and I talked about some of my silly teenage escapades that he just won’t let me live down and we were trying to recall some of the specific details, but couldn’t quite remember.  But the one detail I don’t have to try to remember is the fact that our father has always been a vital and constant part of mine and my sister’s entire lives, and that of our children.  He’s been there for everything we were ever involved in; he’s been there with his unconditional love, support, encouragement, guidance, wisdom, and yes, even discipline.  He has always openly loved and cherished our mother and shown us how to be a good partner; showing us how to agree, disagree, resolve things, compromise, forgive, forget, and through it all, show love. 
He grounded us with a firm foundation of faith, moral values, for working hard, and treating others with respect.  In doing so, he was teaching us what it meant to be faithful, loyal, and dedicated. He made sure we knew right from wrong and held us accountable for our actions, which taught us responsibility.  He is full of wit and laughter and funny, quirky ways.  He’s always made us feel special, safe and protected.  But most of all he kept his arms open wide for us.  He has played a major role in shaping me into who I am today.
I am fascinated by his childhood stories and his own teenage escapades, by his love of baking like his mom used to, by his love of doing for others, his love of his friends and church family, but mostly by his deep love of Christ and unwavering faith.  We are most blessed, however, by his unconditional love of family, to whom he has been exceedingly generous and caring.  He would literally give any one of us the shirt off his back if we needed it.  And at 73, he is still doing for others, still holding us accountable, and still has his arms wide open.  He is our rock.
In my eyes, he is ten feet tall and a giant among men.  He is a hero and I hope he knows that’s what I see when I look…….in my father’s eyes.
So, Pop, today I just want you to know that you are the best father and Dad in the world.  God has greatly blessed us with you and we will always cherish the gift of you. We love you so much that no words can adequately describe it.
Happy Father’s Day……from your baby girl! 

Jenna Nabors Shook

  My Daddy
 
Through the years I have whined, complained, rebelled, and even been angry with the man that I call Daddy. But after reflecting over the past 51 years of my life, I have come to realize that most of my complaining was selfishness.
My dad was very strict. When I was a teenager he insisted that he knew where I was at all times and what I was doing. I had a curfew and had better be home on time or I was in trouble. I thought, “How could someone be so cruel?” I am thankful now that I am older.
On Sundays and Wednesday nights, there was no question in our house whether or not we would go to church. We all understood the rules: be ready on time because we were going. He did not expect us to just go and watch, but he expected us to participate and even lead. He set the example for us by doing this himself.
Daddy has always been affectionate towards my mother, my sister and me. He always hugged me and told me that he loved me. Every night before I went to bed he would say goodnight to me, tell me that he loved me, and then he would say, “If you need me, call me.” As a child, I can remember calling him in the night to ask for a drink of water or to say that I was scared. He would always comfort me.
  He has always encouraged me by telling me that I could do whatever I put my mind to. He was always there for every event: every piano recital, every school play, every gymnastics performance, every church musical, graduations, wedding, and even there for my children’s important events.
He has spent a small fortune on me and my children through the years giving us the best he could and at great sacrifice to himself.
But most importantly, he has loved my mother, my sister, me and our families consistently for over 50 years. I am especially thankful that he loves Jesus Christ and the church and has been a great example of Christian love and servant hood to our family, to his friends and to this city. God used my daddy to help make me the person I am. I am thankful to God that Stanley Nabors is my father. I am so blessed. 
I love you, Daddy!
Happy Father’s Day…….from your firstborn!

Sharon Nabors Brewer