Tag: good memories

Life

Forever An Airman

Shaun Bradford
Lackland AFB, 1992

Here I am, 31 years after making one of the most pivotal decisions in my life, thanking God for so many wonderful experiences. I will forever be an Airman.

Prior to joining the Air Force, I wanted nothing to do with the military. My stepdad was in the Army so I spent most of my childhood surrounded by soldiers and military dependents. I knew what military life entailed and had no desire to be apart of it. Then…I changed my mind.

I had come to a point in my life where I had to decide if I was going to sink or swim. Yeah…I was drowning. I was 18 years old (just a baby), going to college, living at home, still being treated as a child/second mom (I was my siblings second mother), and yearning for freedom. My first boyfriend, who was seven years older, was going through his own issues and cheating left and right. Y’all, I had to get away!

So, one day in April 1992, I turned to the yellow pages of a phone book and found an Air Force recruiter. To this day I still don’t know what made me do it. I found the recruiter, visited his office and signed up for the delayed entry program (I was still in college). I remember him saying that they usually speak with the parents too but since I was 18 and sure of my decision, he would sign me up. A couple of months later, I officially joined.

Now, all of it seems like a lifetime ago. That one decision changed the trajectory of my life. Y’all, that one blind leap made me who I am today.

Again, here I am over 30 years later smiling about that decision. I did it and I retired! Never in my wildest dreams as a kid did I imagine I would be a veteran. Never! Life is truly interesting.

To all of my fellow veterans, Happy Veterans Day! Thank you so much for your service and sacrifices.♥️

Shaun

Life

Remember the Good Times

Shaun Bradford

Remember how life used to be before it became so complexed and complicated.

When your smiles and laughter were purely genuine.

When your dreams and aspirations were just pieces of your imagination.

When sitting on the front porch people watching was your favorite pastime.

When the smell of fresh rain made you smile and thunderstorms put you to sleep.

Remember…

When love was free.

When no one had hidden agendas.

When a person’s word was their bond.

When sharing your life on social media was nonexistent.

Remember…

When life was so simple.

You know…

When you were free to BE.

Remember those times, places and spaces. They are reminders that life is so worth living.♥️

Keep those memories near and revisit them often.

Love you!

Shaun

Life

Follow Your Dreams

Shaun Bradford

Your dreams are important, too important to let die. No matter what comes or goes, or how much time passes, never give up on your dreams. Everything will happen at the appropriate time.♥️

Stay the course.

When I was in high school, my English teacher gave our class personalized, handwritten notes. Mine was written inside of a card that a former student had given her. On the cover was a painting of “The Lady of Shalott.” I was drawn to that painting. It was like I could feel her pain and agony.

I was her…

Here is the inside of the card with an additional note attached. The words from the attached note have keep me inspired, encouraged and hopeful for more than 30 years.

I am becoming the dream.♥️
Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Today’s Hello Sunday is dedicated to my mother. Still can’t believe she’s gone.

After Momma passed, I found a letter she had written to us, her children. That’s what she had written on the envelope, “Children.” It was sealed with an address label from where she lived decades ago. I did not read it then. Decided to wait and open it when all of us were together. When I tell you I felt like I was in a movie! I had been through her things many, many times before and had not seen the letter until I was about to leave town to go help my siblings make her final arrangements. When I tell you the suspense was killing me!

As soon as our last sister arrived–took her hours to get there–we read the letter. It began with, “If you are reading this letter, it means that the inevitable has happened.” Y’all, we laughed. Only she could make something so serious sound like we were on a crime show.

Well, the letter was very direct. She did not sugarcoat anything. She told us about her life as an adult and her desire to be a great mom. Some things she knew she got right while others she really struggled with because she had us at a very young age. (Note– While she was still coherent, we did tell her that she was a great mom and how much we loved and appreciated everything she had done for us.) One of the things that surprised us was the fact that she had been very ill for a long time. None of us knew this. The reason she had written the letter was because she did not believe she had much longer to live. Now, this was written three years post paraplegia. Listen… I’m here to testify and tell you she lived another 21 years! Y’all, the letter was dated September 18, 2001.

When I tell you God is so good and merciful. There’s nothing like His love and grace. It just goes to show you that we cannot put a time limit on life nor can we give up. We may feel down today and believe this just has to be the end of the road; then, end up living decades more.

Today, I am going to let Dorothy have her final say. Below is a copy of one of her newsletters from The Encourager. I tried to find one from May; however, the closest I could find was from April 2003. While reading it, I could see her in her words written about not being able to walk or see well. That was her. She was describing herself.

Be encouraged. God’s got you!♥️

Thanks for reading. Wishing you a wonderful week!

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford
Yes, I am beyond blessed.

Today I have decided not to focus on what is going on around me. Instead, I am focusing on good memories and positive experiences. Yes, today I am blocking all negative vibes.

Here is an excerpt from a journal entry that was written the day my ex-husband finally moved out of the house. I guess you can say that was the official beginning of the 4+ years of the separation/divorce process. Seems like an entire weight was lifted off our family that day. Yes… that was a good day, a very good day.

Journal Entry: March 26, 2015

“One last thing. Ki and KeShawn got my back if no one else does. Ki keeps me encouraged. It’s nice to have someone to bounce professional goals off of especially when we both have so many. Just talking to her makes me want to do more. Last night when I got in, KeShawn said I woke him up out of a good dream. He said that he was at a restaurant eating coconut shrimp, crabmeat sautéed in butter, lobster, and rice surrounded with eggs and bacon on top. He said he had a tuxedo on and me and Ki had on long pretty dresses. I told him that that sounded great. I want him to dream. I want them to dream. I’m so happy my dreams are in full force again. This time I won’t let them go. I can’t let them go. I saw one more post last night by Joel Osteen- “It’s not over. You’ve got to get in agreement with God. Start dreaming again. Start expecting again.” Hallelujah!!”

Can’t believe that was eight years ago. Forever grateful I am on the other side of that craziness! At times I did not think I would make it, but I did. God is so good.

Well, that’s all I have for y’all today. It just started raining and I need to get ready to get on the road. I’m going to see my mom today. She’s back in ICU. We (myself and my sisters) did get to video chat with her last night before she was transferred. I can’t wait to see her and love on her a little more.♥️

Also, I am heading to see my dad afterwards. I have an event to attend tomorrow afternoon and his house is at the halfway mark between my home and the event’s location. So I get to love on him and my stepmom this evening.

As always, thank you so much for reading. Also, thank y’all sooo much for your kind words and prayers. I really do appreciate you. Please have a wonderful day and enjoy your week!🙏🏽♥️

Shaun

Life

Remember the Good Times

Shaun Bradford

Much too often we remember hurts and disappointments before we remember the good. Today, I encourage you to focus on the good times. The moments that made you smile and feel loved. Have a wonderful day.♥️ ~ Shaun