Deeann Darby-bradley:
CLASS OF 1968
Bessemer High SchoolClass of 1968
Bessemer, AL
Deeann's Story
The photo is from Jason's wedding in July of 2008. Jason, my only son married at his wife's family home in Bend, Oregon. My career as a behavioral specialist & consultant came to an end a couple of years ago due to illness, so I am now retired. My favorite place is near the ocean in Yachats, Oregon. My greatest accomplishment is my son, Jason C. Bradley, now living in Boulder, Colorado while his wife, Lisa, completes her Master's Degree. The love of my life is my cat, Boogie! (and Jason's Daddy...I never remarried) My passion is as an activist in areas from saving our oceans to saving our wild places and animals living there to working with numerous organizations helping people who are unable to help themselves for a variety of reasons. I enjoy reading, painting & doing collage, crocheting, music, writing, watching college football & basketball, spending time with a few select friends and family, going out into nature and discovering new and exciting aspects of our Mother Earth. My favorite book is Tao Te Ching, and I read it or portions of it often. It centers me. I enjoy reading nonfiction primarily, but I do read some good novels. Music...there's no way to express a favorite; however, I find myself listening to jazz, blues & world music more than others. My best friend is my cat, Boogie. He's over 11 years old now. I am very different than the girl from Bessemer High School. Although I lived in the Birmingham area for 49 years with two brief exceptions, I never really felt that I fit in there. Jason came to the Pacific NW to attend college. After about 3 years, he insisted that I come here for Christmas rather than he coming home. I did come to Eugene, Oregon...Jason explained that he had fallen in love with the Pacific NW, and he wanted to settle here and wanted me to consider moving here as well. The following year, in September 1999, I moved here and cannot imagine living anywhere else. The place I want to visit is Taos, New Mexico. At the time of this writing my travel is limited, and I've been unable to travel to visit my Mother & family since shortly after my Daddy passed away about 3 year...Expand for more
s ago. I miss many things about the south, but not the humidity! One of my 3 best friends here moved to Seattle a couple of years ago. I do visit her by car or train. I'm a "glass half full" person, and I love life. I now appreciate every day, and feel very blessed. My greatest gift & blessing is my son, Jason. He is amazing, truly. I know every parent feels that way, but this is more. Jason is my gift to the world. He's the best thing I've ever done. I miss many of my classmates & friends from Bessemer High School, and stay in touch with them through my family primarily. I do actually stay in touch personally with Lee Parsons' brother, sister & mother. They have been life-long friends of our family. As I had only one child and there are no grandchildren YET, my little family is very simple. My niece & nephews have been like my children. My brother, David had three children, Amanda, Jarred & Patrick. Amanda lives in the D.C. area. Patrick & Jarred are twins. Patrick is at Southern Miss working on his Master's and Jarred is living & working in the Birmingham area. David, my brother, is in banking. My sister, Dana, is a computer person. I am computer challenged. What is essential for my happiness? My family, friends, my cat, art & music, and making a difference for someone in some way every day. I am a bit reclusive personally. I need my space, yet people are so important to my happiness. This is what we call balance? Yes, balance in my life has always been a challenge. It is obvious that everyone has changed since high school, but I doubt people who knew me well then would even recognize the person I am now. I don't mean physically, I'm pretty much just older, heavier, grey hair, more wrinkles, nothing staying in place! Smile! None of that seems so important any more. My hope for old classmates and friends is that they are healthy, happy and making a difference in their world whether it is by having raised a healthy child or planting a tree or teaching a child to play basketball. I wish you all joy & blessings, and am so grateful you touched my life in whatever way it might have been.
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