Diana Bowman:
CLASS OF 1978
Gardendale High SchoolClass of 1978
Gardendale, AL
Diana's Story
My life hasn't really turned out the way I thougt it would, or wanted it to, but God has been good to me and I am content with the way things are now.
When I was a teenager, I wanted to be a Missionary when I grew up. My family and friends thought that was a good idea. As it turns out, unfortunately, I was more interested in boys at the time. I wish I would've pursued that line of work. I have gone on several missionary trips in my adult life. I am very mission oriented
I am very passionate about missions, like Operation Christmas Child. I put together boxes every year for the children. I did 14 boxes last year, and am doing 12 this year. Inflation, and retirement has taken a toll on me. I wish I could do more. I helped my church in Ms. start collecting boxes for OCC last year. This year, we will be the collection site for our entire county. Although I've moved back to Al., I will be in Ms. to help with the collection there.
I've started doing crafts with my mom, and some on my own. I always wanted to learn how to knit, but couldn't get it. I use a Knifty Knitter now and make toboggans and scarves for "Operation Christmas Child." Mom and I make plastic grid bookmarkers and baskets. We fill the baskets with little gifts and give them to people in the nursing home where we live, through our church's WMU. We make the bookmarkers for Emmaus Walks. That's a spiritual renewal weekend for church members who want to be more involved in their christian lives.
I don't put people up on a pedastal for what they can do physically - that's for God's glory, not theirs. I idolize people who put their lives on the line for others, such as God, firemen, and the military. Now that's a hero. However, there is one guy who I admire profusely. He's dead now (tears), but he was a running back for the Chicago Bears -- Walter Peyton. I've met some of his family here in Ms. since I've lived here. They only live about 20 miles from me. I got to talk to him on the telephone one time many years ago. That was after he retired from football and was promoting child literacy programs. I was thrilled!
I recently moved to Fairhope, Al. I love it down there! I feel so free...Expand for more
and happy. It's been a 4 year dream of mine to live down there. I've lived in Mississippi for the past 15 months with my parents. I like it down here, but it's way, way, way, way, way too rural! 20 miles east or west just to go to Walmart. That stinks! When my parents house sells, they will be coming over to Fairhope also. My brother lives in Foley, so that will put my parents closer to both of us. Now, if we could just get my sister to move down there! But she is married and her husband's family lives in B'ham. He will never leave. Also, they have 2 granddaughters that she couldn't live without!
The one person from my past who I'd most like to see again is a guy from Gardendale that I dated the summer after highschool that will remain nameless. He was really sweet, and we left things in a bad place, very unneccessarily. We were young, and didn't know how to remain friends. But we should have. He has a great life now and I am happy for him.
The biggest surprise in my life is that I only stayed married for 10 years and have been divorced ever since -- 16 years! I always had a married mentality. I loved being married, and wished it could have lasted, but things don't always turn out the way we'd like.
My best friend would tell you I'm crazy, but people who don't know me very well would probably describe me as shy. I was very shy in highschool, and let everything bother me. I was very self-conscience about my looks.
I share my home with my parents, which I find comforting, most of the time.
When I was 6 years old, me and the girl next door didn't get along at all! One day we got in a fight. I was so mad, that I hid behind a bush. There was a bottle on the ground, I picked it up and just slung it. Well, it accidentally made contact with this girl's eye. To this day, no one believes me, but it's the truth! I couldn't hit the side of a barn it I was trying, much less a target I couldn't even see. But the funniest part of the story is, that the next day was picture day at school and she had a black eye. I was so proud! We have since talked and laughed about those times.
I hope my story makes you smile and maybe laugh a little if you know me.
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