Tag: birthday

Life

April’s Rambling

Shaun Bradford

It’s a little after 6:00 AM and I feel like writing. Yesterday, I drove up to spend a few days with my mom. She’s still in the hospital. They are thinking about sending her to a rehab/nursing facility until her wound (Stage 4 pressure ulcer) heals well enough for her to return home. The good news is, they believe all of the infected tissue has been removed and the antibiotics are working.

I haven’t slept much because she doesn’t really sleep much. She can never quite get comfortable. I really did not know what to expect during this stay. After spending over two months in the hospital with her several months ago, and not having a great experience, I arrived a little tense and expected to do more assisting than keeping her company. Unlike before, she’s actually calling the nurses to assist her, which kind of makes me feel useless. But she’s doing right. It is their job to assist her. I’m learning to stay in my place and be okay with it. I’m only here to be her daughter not nurse or caregiver.

On another note… Two of my friends are already celebrating our 50th year. Last year we decided we would celebrate the entire year. Well, they are actually doing it. Both attended concerts last night. One in Chicago and the other in Nashville. I’m not jealous. I love seeing them have a great time. They deserve it! Plus, my daughter has already gotten us tickets to see Beyoncé in New Orleans, so my fun is coming. I just feel like I have not had the chance to celebrate like I thought I would. Which means I have to be more intentional about making things happen because this year is supposed to be EPIC! Listen, you only turn 50 once! Smile

I will note one thing that is happening – I am actually becoming more and more comfortable in my own skin. I know I write about embracing all of me, often; however, I have never really felt it as much as I do now. I’m not as anxious as I used to be. I am no longer second guessing my decisions. I am also becoming less and less concerned about my flaws, or what others would consider flaws. Maybe this year is more about embracing and celebrating my truest self than creating photographical memories. The transformation that is taking place on the inside is far more important.

Well, I am going to end here. I need to find something to eat. Wishing all of you a great weekend.

Love You!♥️

Shaun

Life

Happy 49th Birthday To Me!

Shaun Bradford

Welcoming #Year49 with gratitude and a very warm embrace. So grateful to have made it this far. Y’all, I’m truly blessed.♥️

My birthday prayer for this year and beyond is to continue to experience God’s love, mercy, grace and favor; to love and be loved unconditionally; and to reach unimaginable heights. Y’all, it’s the final year of my 40’s and I intend to make it great! ~ Shaun

Life

Wednesday Writings

Shaun Bradford

Hello June! Oh how I’ve missed you.

Y’all, it’s my birthday month and the final year of my 40s. All I can say is, WHAT A RIDE! Y’all, if my 40s were a movie, it would win Oscars in multiple categories. Like.. for real! Talk about one wonderfully, crazy decade! If someone would have told me my 40s were going to be wild, I would’ve laughed my head off – “Quit playing!”

So, I always set a theme for my birthday year. This past year I focused on embracing my freedom. This next year it’s Smooth Sailing. I just want to lay back, relax, create and let the gentle waves take me wherever they please. Whatever blessings come my way, I’m grasping them without overthinking. And the troubles I encounter.. HA! I’m handing those over to God.

Yep.. Smooth Sailing.

Well, I still have a little over three weeks to build up to the big event. Today I’m celebrating with a road trip and lunch– both work related but I’m going to celebrate like this event was planned in my honor. Then tonight I’m going to chat with a few sistas as we watch our favorite show, Tyler Perry’s Sistas. Yep.. the second half of Season 4 returns tonight! What a way to kick off my celebration!

Anyhoo.. let me publish this so I can get on the road. Enjoy your Wednesday!

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford
Happy Birthday Momma!

Today’s Hello Sunday is dedicated to my second mom, my bonus mom, Jewelstine. Today’s her birthday!

Here’s our story:

We met when I was only a few weeks old. She was my first babysitter, first Girl Scout troop leader, and my first employer (let’s just say I was her little teacher’s assistant). She took me to my first movie (E.T.), my first theme park (Libertyland), roller skating rink (Rollerworld) and softball game (she was a softball coach for decades). She also gave birth to two of the kindest, giving, compassionate and hardworking people I know – my siblings – the late Alton Sutton, Jr. and my sunshine (which is what my sister calls me), Kisha. If I had to choose a bonus mom for my children, without hesitation, she would be it. She loves unconditionally and gives selflessly. I am so blessed to have her in my life and absolutely honored to call her Momma.

Happy Birthday Momma! Wishing you as much love as you give as well as many, many blessings. Love you always!

Shaun

Life

Wednesday Writings

Shaun Bradford

At this very moment, my daughter and I should be preparing to leave for France. We were scheduled for a noon departure from New Orleans arriving in Paris tomorrow morning, January 27 – my daughter’s 27th birthday.

In September, my daughter casually mentioned that she wanted to spend her 27th birthday in Paris. Well, as a mom who absolutely LOVES birthdays, I started planning. Long story short, we were booked and ready to go then Omicron happened. Although we are both vaxed and boosted, a couple of weeks ago we decided to postpone our trip because we didn’t want to be either denied going (a positive diagnosis seemed almost inevitable) or one or both of us stuck and quarantined in Paris because of a positive diagnosis. It was just too risky, especially since my son wasn’t going (he didn’t want to miss a few days of school.. he’s so responsible – Lol).

I wish I could say we are really disappointed about not going, but honestly, I can’t. The truth is neither of us wanted to leave my son behind and he didn’t want to be left behind. So I guess you can say it all worked out for the best. When we go later this year, he will be going with us. And my daughter, she’s not missing a thing. After canceling our mother-daughter trip, she planned a solo trip to another destination. At the end of the day, I know everything worked out the way it was meant to be.

À Bientôt Paris!

Shaun

Life

My Baby Boy is 18!

Shaun Bradford

I have an 18 year old!!!

Midnight celebration! His sister surprised him with balloons at midnight. Yes, he’s loved!

Y’all, that time between birth and adulthood passed too quickly. Blinked one time and my infant son was a toddler. On the second blink, he was a preschooler. The next few blinks I barely remember – first day of elementary school, middle school, then high school. In a few months, graduation. Not even sure what will happen when I blink next.

Honestly, it has been an honor watching him grow into the young adult he is today. I am truly grateful God chose me to be his mother. Praying that his adulthood is filled with many blessings and much success. Also praying God gives me wisdom to properly guide and assist him through his next phase of life.

Two adult children – what will the next phase of my life look like?

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

I know I am late posting. Wanted to wait until my final birthday event. Honestly, I did not do much; however, everything I did I truly enjoyed. Thankful for the tiny moments of sunshine in the midst of all the rain. New look. Great food. Awesome company. Life is good. God is good. Looking forward to a fabulous year!

Embracing Freedom
Embracing Forty-Eight

Wishing you a wonderful week!

Be Blessed,

Shaun

Happy XLVIII
Life

XLVIII

Shaun Bradford

The countdown is over. Today’s my day! Year 48 is finally here! Do I feel any differently? Umm.. no. However, I am alive and blessed, which is something I don’t take lightly. Forever Grateful

This week I decided to do something different. Something fun and unexpected. You see, about a week ago, I found a long stand of gray hair along my front hairline. By its length, it had probably been there forever but was hiding. Funny how grays love to play peekaboo– here one minute and gone the next. Don’t get me wrong, I have about two or three strands but on that particular day, this one stood out. As I said, they love playing peekaboo. Like magic, a few hours later I could not find it. Crazy, right?!

Well, for years I have wanted to dye my hair, but since I did not have any gray, I wanted to keep my original color as long as I could. Then, on Father’s Day, something changed. It hit me that once again I was waiting for the right moment to make a move. Like, what was I waiting for? What if I had to wait another ten years? The next thing I knew, I was at the store buying a cheap box of color and now I’m blonde, or blondish. It’s more of a honey blonde. Oh! And I also allowed my daughter to dress me for my little birthday photo shoot. Y’all, she is now buying me clothes and dressing me like I’m her daughter. Hehehe. Gotta love life.

Here’s a collage of a few of the pictures. I look so different without my glasses.

Year 48– Happy Birthday to me!

So, over the past few days, I have been thinking about birthday themes. Last year’s was “Authentically ME” and the year before, “46 and FREE.” This year I’m finally feeling my freedom and embracing me– all of me. So, I believe this year’s theme will be “Embracing Freedom.” Yes… definitely seems fitting for where I am at this stage in life. Listen, it’s one thing to know you are free and another to embrace it. It’s time I embraced it.

Y’all, I’m thinking about logging off for a few days. Want to enjoy every moment of this year’s celebration. So I will see y’all on Sunday.

Take Care!

Shaun

Life

Wednesday Writings

Shaun Bradford

Still not quite satisfied with the title, but it will have to do for now.

Honestly, I don’t really feel like writing today. I guess you can say I’m too excited about tomorrow. Y’all, I don’t even have anything big plan. I just love turning a year older. There’s something about birthdays that makes me feel like a new person. Makes me feel as if I have been born again and I get to reset life. I know it sounds crazy but that’s exactly how I feel– brand new.

Today, I would like to thank God for blessing me with 47 beautiful years of life. I would also like to thank Him for loving me and loving on me– yeah, there’s a difference between the two.

Looking forward to year 48! I know it will outshine year 47 because God loves me and I will not accept anything less than His absolute best.

The countdown continues- One more day!

Enjoy your Wednesday!

Shaun