Tag: Sunday

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

A few days before my birthday, I heard as clear as day, “Once you turn 50, your sabbatical is over.” All I could say was, “Yes, Lord.” I did not ask questions because I already knew what that entailed. Honestly, now that my children are grown and Momma is no longer here, I have absolutely no excuse for not embracing my purpose, pursuing my dreams or living my life to its fullest. None!

Here are a couple of messages that I shared on July 2nd over the last two years.

Facebook Memory: July 2, 2022

What good is a dream if it’s kept buried and unattended? Not much, right?

Water and nurture your dreams, then watch them grow.

Doing all three–watering, nurturing and watching my dreams grow. I’m blessed.

Facebook Memory: July 2, 2021– This was written in response to a video I shared.

Listen, write it down! Whatever you desire, WRITE IT DOWN. It may not happen in your timing, but you best believe it’ll happen when God knows you’re ready. And it will be greater than anything you’ve ever imagined.

Those two messages, along with my sabbatical ending, have me both excited and a little nervous. Excited because I love adventures. God always throws in something exciting and unexpected. However, I am a little nervous because sometimes those exciting, unexpected moments take me outside my comfort zone. Which brings me to yesterday’s experience.

So, it is no secret that I see myself as a future ambassador. I have written about it many times–Ambassador and/or Liaison. But Ambassador/Liaison of what?… I am not sure. All I know is, for as far back as my teenage years, I have seen myself standing before people, mostly dignitaries or people from other nations, informing them about something. The thing is, I hate public speaking. I absolutely hate it.

Sometime last week, my uncle–who is a candidate for a state office–asked if I could represent him at a political rally because he had a few other events to attend in another part of the state. I was hesitant but said I would. Friday he sent me his campaign speech. After reading it, my anxiety kicked in. All kinds of thoughts crossed my mind. Would I be able to do it? Who was going to be there? What was I getting myself into? About an hour or so after he sent the speech, he texted me and told me to just be myself, that he trusted me to say whatever I was going to say. Talk about a burden being lifted. However, I then felt the pressure of needing to represent him in the best way possible. Life…

Well, here is my reaction as I left the rally.

This was my raw reaction after what had just taken place. I love ME! Sometimes I crack myself up. This time I did not dwell on what I could’ve or should’ve done differently. Basically, I did not criticize myself, which is something new. Again, this stage of my life is all about staying present and at peace.

Listen, I delivered the speech the only way I knew how to–I was myself. Afterwards, I had other candidates come up to me and tell me that I had set the stage for the rest to follow (I was the third to speak). I guess I should mention that the rally happened in a small town and there were only about six people of color in attendance, including myself. Most of others were family members of one of the candidates. I met a sweet, older lady who told me she does not see color, that we are all the same. Bless her heart. I met local politicians, state politicians and representatives of candidates. Needless to say, I had a wonderful time! Y’all, I really do love meeting and talking with people. Everyone is different, but all want to be included. It is so true that we are more alike than different.

Can’t you hear, “I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony…”? I surely can. Smiling

When I called my uncle to fill him in on the rally, he told me the audience was the reason he asked me to go. He said he knew they would love me. Hmm… Is that a compliment or not? Laughing. Then he said he had a few more rallies coming up that he wanted me to attend. Umm… I believe my campaigning days are over. One event was enough.

As I have mentioned in previous blogs, this year/decade is already different. Looking forward to seeing what exciting things God has planned next.

This is all I have for you today. Thanks for reading! Praying you have a wonderful day.♥️

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

I am still celebrating today! Actually, I am celebrating all year long, right?! Smile

As I wanted it to be, yesterday was more of a spiritual celebration (not church like spiritual–I was not dancing in the spirit or anything–Lol). It was more of a calm, peaceful acknowledgement of God’s magnificence. Y’all, I did not make it this far on my own, and I wanted Him to know I know I cannot make it these next 50 plus years without Him. So yesterday I honored Him by staying present and taking in every blessing He had already given me, as well as every blessing throughout the day. Y’all, because of this, I was able to fully enjoy my special moments.

Here’s a recap of my day…

First off, I had absolutely nothing planned for my birthday. As I wrote a few weeks ago, all of my planning stopped when Momma got sick last August. Then after she passed, I didn’t really feel like celebrating. I mean, I wanted to celebrate but not really. It’s hard to explain. Anyway, yesterday went the way it was meant to go. Smiling

– Woke up wanting to see the water so I decided I would head somewhere along the coast. I told my kids they could track me through my location. I didn’t know if once I hit the highway I would end up in New Orleans or Destin, Florida. It was going to be a day trip and I was just going to drive.

– Before I left, my son treated me to breakfast at my favorite local brunch spot. My daughter joined us so she could see me before I left. They allowed me to take a picture with them but made me promise not to post it, and I won’t. However, I will share my selfie.

First day of my 50s. Embracing ALL of me! Especially the hair.♥️

– After breakfast–which was more like brunch because of my late start (I wasn’t rushing)–I hit the highway. I headed south on Highway 59 towards New Orleans (the plan was to either head on down to NOLA or hit I-10 and head east to Florida). Well, I didn’t even make it to I-10. Didn’t even make it out of Hattiesburg before deciding to take Hwy 98 to Mobile; and that was the start of my day trip. I would love to say I made it to Florida and spent the day on the beach, but that didn’t happen. Nope. Before making it out of Mobile, I decided to turn around and head back to Mississippi on I-10. Listen, yesterday was all about going with the flow.

– Once I made it to Pascagoula, I called up one of my childhood friends and visited her. Her late sister was one of my best friends who died about 15 years ago from sickle cell complications. A year ago around this time, their younger brother succumbed to his. And the sister that I visited yesterday has been hospitalized a few times over the last year due to her complications. I was supposed to visit her a few months ago, but didn’t make it down. So yesterday I got to spend time with her and my late friends daughter, my goddaughter, who now has a family of her own. It was so nice visiting with them.

– On my way back home, I stopping and ate at Fridays. Hadn’t been to a Fridays since they closed the one in Hattiesburg years ago. The food was okay; however, cucumber and tomato salad was delicious! I love a good cucumber and tomato salad so I was in heaven.

Delicious salad!

– My next stop was Painting With A Twist. So the reason I turned around in Mobile was because I remembered I had signed up for a painting class that started at 7 PM. I got there minutes before the class started.

Planning to do this more often.

– When I got home, I was greeted with the sounds of Beyoncé singing Church Girl–HA! Don’t judge me, that’s my song! Opened my bedroom door and balloons were everywhere!! Y’all, I screamed and cried. Crying now. I wasn’t expecting anything. Last year my Apple Watch had stopped working. Y’all, I loved my watch. Had had it for years. Then it stopped pairing with my phone. Well, on my bed was this rectangular box. Y’all, I kept screaming, “I know this ain’t what I think it is?!!” And it was. THEN… I went to the bathroom and on my counter was a FENTY box. I screamed again because I had been talking about getting that red FENTY lipstick. My sister had just bought some and FaceTimed me just to show me how gorgeous she looked with it on. I just had to get it and there it was.

It’s not the things that made me happy but my daughter’s thoughtfulness. It feels so good to be loved and seen.♥️

So that was my birthday day. About to head to the coast again. This time to actually see the water.

During yesterday’s undirected trip, I listened to several random podcasts and messages. One after another, the messages hit on areas where I need growth. I needed that uninterrupted time alone. I have work to do. I have a God given purpose to fulfill and I aim to make God proud.

I pray you have a wonderfully blessed day. About to celebrate Day 2 of this Jubilee Year! I will end with this, which is the message God gave me–Stay present and you will stay in peace. He advised me to enjoy and take in all of the goodness surrounding me presently, and He will take care of the rest. And after what I experienced yesterday, I am planning to do just that.

Love y’all!

Shaun

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
My life.

I do not have much to say this morning. Believe I said it all yesterday. Smile. At the end of the day, I really do trust God. Yes, I get frustrated at times. But who doesn’t? It’s called life.

Here’s the song that is currently on repeat in my mind–Mary J. Blige’s song, My Life. Here are a few of the lyrics.

If you look at my life and see what I’ve seen…

Life can be only what you make it
When you’re feelin down
You should never fake it
Say what’s on your mind
And you’ll find in time
That all the negative energy
It would all cease

And you’ll be at peace with yourself
You won’t really need no one else
Except for the man up above
Because He’ll give you love …
Source: LyricFind

Thanks for reading and have a wonderfully, blessed day!♥️

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Today’s blog is dedicated to James Earl Carter, Jr., also known as our former President, Jimmy Carter.♥️

Yesterday, my heart sank as I read the following statement from The Carter Center –

“After a series of short hospital stays, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter today decided to spend his remaining time at home with his family and receive hospice care instead of additional medical intervention. He has the full support of his family and his medical team. The Carter family asks for privacy during this time and is grateful for the concern shown by his many admirers.”

Why did I immediately want to ask if I could also be by his side. If I could also care for him until he leaves us. Sounds weird, huh?

Y’all, he was my President. My first political memories were during his run for reelection against Ronald Reagan. I was just a little girl when he lost the race and vividly remember myself sitting in front of the tv crying my eyes out. He was my President.

I guess what I loved about him was everything many hated. He was soft spoken. He actually had compassion for humanity and expressed it, which was viewed by some as a sign of weakness. And lastly, he was from the South. I loved his southern drawl.

For me, President Carter represented kindness, hope and the possibility of a beautiful, peaceful and kind world. He was my hero! If you have not read any of my blogs about my favorite childhood song, well, it was, “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony).” I am pretty sure it was Coca Cola’s adaptation of the song that I fell in love with, but either way, it became my theme song. I was dead set on making this world a better place.

Side note: Had to add this while I’m thinking about it. I also wanted “Chariots of Fire,” to be played at my wedding. Y’all, what was wrong with me?! Laughing. I was so into my own little world. Guess nothing’s really changed, huh? Smiling

Anyhoo… back to President Carter. I have watched him over the years remain humble and give to those less fortunate. I really wish that I could sit with him just to show my appreciation for everything he’s done and given.

What’s so ironic is, Friday I signed up to volunteer for a local hospice care center. I may not be able to be by his side before he leaves us, but I can be by someone else’s. A piece of his legacy will always live on through me through my service to others.

President Carter is a true servant leader and his presence and impact on the world will be greatly missed.

Sending him and his family prayers and love.♥️

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

News Flash!

Our dreams and goals require that we work for what we want. We must also be patient and trust God’s timing while we work. Eventually, our hard work and dedication will pay off.

Have a blessed Sunday!♥️

Shaun