hope

My Journey With God, No. 136

Shaun Bradford

Time doesn’t stop, but keeps going whether we want it to or not. This morning, one of my sisters shared pictures of her family in our sisters’ group chat. Her youngest children are 15 and 16, and now she has a grandson. Yesterday, my youngest siblings (twins) celebrated their 37th birthday. My sister above them will celebrate her 40th in a couple of weeks. And I’ll be 53 in June.

Time doesn’t stop. It just keeps on ticking away…

Last Sunday, my dad’s church recognized him for his dedication to the church and service in the community. He’s now the church’s oldest deacon.

Me with my dad and niece (my late brother’s daughter).

I was supposed to come back home on Tuesday, but ended up staying an extra day. While I was there, I took a picture with my stepmom to send to my sister in Texas, and she told me to delete it. She didn’t like the wrinkles she saw on her face (she’s 77). I really wanted her to come home with me for a few days, but she’ll never leave my dad alone. And my dad won’t visit because he can’t stop working. I guess it’s the only thing that keeps him going. I never mentioned this—probably because I just didn’t want to write about death anymore—but my dad lost his only remaining sibling two years ago. He’s the only one left. Since then, his health has really declined.

It’s a lot. A lot to watch while I’m also aging. I was talking to a couple of colleagues last week, and they kept referring to clients “around your age.” That’s when I realized I’m nearly five to ten years older than the ones I talk to regularly. It’s wild because all this time I’ve felt like we were around the same age.

So, 53 is on the horizon. In less than 20 short years, I’ll be in my 70s. Right now, I feel like I’m walking a tightrope. On either side is my will, and the rope is God’s will. Almost daily, I battle with jumping off—sometimes it takes so much out of me just to stay balanced so I won’t fall. I could easily throw in the towel and do my own thing, but I’m so dead set on seeing where God’s road will lead me. So, I remain on the rope. Y’all, I truly trust God. All I ask is for God to allow me to live another 50 or so healthy, vibrant years. Lord, I have sooooo much I want to experience, see, and do. Or maybe it won’t take me another 50 years for it all to happen. I just know there’s a lot on my list.

Okay… I believe I’ve written enough. Thanks for allowing me to spill. I needed to release what I’ve been feeling. This aging thing ain’t no joke.

Now, let me get moving! I have things to do.♥️

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Published by Shaun Bradford

My life is full of adventures— good and bad, and I’m living in every moment. Can’t help but be present.

8 thoughts on “My Journey With God, No. 136”

  1. ” I was talking to a couple of colleagues last week, and they kept referring to clients “around your age.” That’s when I realized I’m nearly five to ten years older than the ones I talk to regularly. It’s wild because all this time I’ve felt like we were around the same age.”

    My two neighbors who are keeping me alive and ticking are 24 and 26 years old. I love these two young ladies with a love that has no name. I have to remind myself all the time when I refer to something I recall from the 80s and 90s, that they LITERALLY have no clue to what I’m speaking about. But, I am learning so much from them , and them from me. One just made me a latte this morning after I asked her to make me a coffee. She was a barista for 6 years at Starbucks. The other one wants to cook for me all the time. They take care of me, and I look out for them.

    You are blessed, Shaun, to have many different beings around you of various ages. Trust me, you truly are.

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      1. Amen. Trust and believe, I am enjoying every moment. I offered to wash the oldest’s locs. She has been complaining about washing her hair, but not wanting to take on the chore. I, knowing exactly how much of a task it is to wash one’s locs, offered to wash hers.

        She knows where to find me. And knowing her, it’ll be around 5:30 PM one day with a ring of my doorbell and her seeking face waiting that will reveal words from her mouth stating, “Soooo, you still wanna wash my hair for me,” and, I’ll just open the door and get the job done.

        Being loved and loving others are such wondrous feelings.

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  3. AGE…I was celebrating my youngest daughter’s 48th birthday yesterday with my oldest grandson, and he was talking about a man in his 60’s that was talking to him and he called him OLD…I looked at him and said if HE’S OLD, then what am I…I’m about to be 70 in June, and he stopped and said I see you as being maybe 50 or so, I had to remind him HIS mother is 50…We see with our eyes what is right before us and we still call it something different. My mother is 104, feisty and still calling the shots…I don’t know if that will be me, (I’m more like my dad) congratulations to your dad for living his best life and achieving the goal of being the oldest (more senior) deacon, and tell your stepmother those are not wrinkles, they are the roadmap that God has given the world to see on her face, as to where she’s been. Blessings to you Shaun.

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    1. Thank you for sharing this, Deborah. I needed it. Most days, age feels like just a number. But after seeing my parents, it all seemed real. I’ll pass your congratulations to my dad. He was so surprised! He didn’t know they were honoring him, nor that my niece and I would be there. He didn’t see us until we came around to the front for the offering. Seeing his smile was everything!

      OAN: I can’t wait to celebrate your 70th with you!!!💗🎉💗

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