Everyone Has A Story

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I’m a human interest junkie.  I enjoy reality shows and reading biographies.  I love seeing how other’s live their lives and hearing their stories.  Don’t you?

Brittany and I recently had a yard sale and we met this sweet man, Buddy Bear Bradley, who had stopped by to see what we had.  I noticed he had a World War II hat on and I asked him about it.  I was so impressed by his story that I had to share it.

This gentleman is 88 years old and very sweet.  He is a World War II and Korean War Veteran.  During WWII he was extremely injured by shrapnel having 10 pieces in his stomach alone.  His stomach was removed shortly afterwards and he has had to live on a liquid diet for 70 years.  Can you imagine?  He also lost a section of one of his ears.  I was in awe of his strength after hearing what he had endured.  Never was there a complaint or a feeling that we should feel sorry for him.  Quite the contrary.  I felt that he was grateful for them.

Buddy has nine children and stays busy with his family.  I got the impression that he spent a lot of his time caring for them and others.

After a few minutes of talking he pulled a card out of his pocket.  It had his picture on it with “Buddy Bear Bradley”, “Comedian at Large”, and his phone number listed underneath.  What a fun surprise!  He performs at a local comedy club, Wise Guys, and is for hire for parties and events.  (https://www.facebook.com/buddybearcomedy)

His youthful attitude was so contagious and enlightening.  His character uses six different faces and no teeth.

www.polkadotpoplars.com

I asked if he’s done this all his life and he said “Since I was 83”.  Ha!

We talked about his genealogy and where he was from.  Come to find out he may be related to Brittany’s husband.

I keep thinking that if I hadn’t asked him about his hat I would have never known and been inspired by his story, which I only know a small portion of.  I also wonder how many people I have met but never took the time to get to know.  I have found throughout my life that everyone I do talk to or even visit with for a few minutes with have always had something I could relate with or learn from.

Moral of the story….Everyone has a story.  I know that I am going to make a more concerted effort to take the time to get to know others better.  All it takes is asking one simple question…….

Dru About Dru

There are so many things I could say but I will just start with the basics. Mother to 4. Grandmother to 11 (Yes, 11. All under the age of 9.) I am a former Army wife and we spent 15 years traveling around the world. It was such a thrill to have seen so many places and meeting lifetime friends. I spent many years working in the craft industry and love getting together with friends and creating. I have a lifelong love of thrift shops, antiques, and yard sales.

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