The book begins before my birth in 1942, during World War II on my Dad's farm in Borden County Texas. We moved many times during the first eighteen years of my life. My family and I went through many hardships during those years. We were very poor but did not know it in our younger years. Everyone we encountered was in a similar situation. We soon found out when we started to school.
I started to school on a cold winter day in November, 1948. My brothers Richard, Ray and I had to walk a mile to catch the bus. I have never forgotten how cold my hands and feet were when the bus finally arrived. It seemed like hours but it was probably ten or fifteen minutes.
Starting late to school was because farm children had to pick the cotton before winter set in. I never heard of any parents getting into trouble for keeping the children out of school so long. I know Mom and Dad didn't.
We moved five times between 1948 and 1957. We moved to Roswell, New Mexico in 1954. We were fortunate to move within the same school district so we did not have to change school the next three years.
I graduated from the eighth grade in 1957 from Berrendo School. In September I started to North Junior High School my freshman year which was in Roswell. The first time I went to a city school. The next year I went on to Roswell Senior High School.
My dad gave up on farming and worked in a service station in Lake Arthur the next two years. I stayed in Roswell with my three brothers living in a trailer house. My oldest brother JW sold the trailer and married his girl friend Betty in 1959. My mom, two brothers, Richard and Ray, two sisters, Mary Jo and Annie and I moved into a house next door to JW and Betty. Mom baby set Betty's' two children. I took in ironing so I would have money for school supplies and spending money.
I did not change schools again. I did not graduate with my class in 1961. I took a correspondent course and received my diploma. I had to go to work. I worked at a bakery for the next year.
I loved to read. I read library books from the time I learned to read. In my younger years I read all to the Canterbury Tales. I enjoyed telling stories to my two little sisters from the books I read. I taught them the nursery rhymes. I told them stories of the many incidents that happened during the moves from three states to the different farms we moved to.
I am blessed with two sons. My oldest son, David Bradberry ask me several times to write down the story of my life growing up. He wanted his children and grandchildren to hear the stories from their grandmother's generation. I never thought I could write the stories down on paper. Once I started writing the memories started to flow.
My youngest son, Steven Bradberry and his wife Jodi helped me with the writing. Steven designed this book.
I worked five years for the County of San Bernardino in the criminal department and the appeal section of the Superior Court, 1973 through 1978. I went to work for the 4th District Court of Appeal in September 1978 and retired December 31, 1998. I lived 34 years in Redlands, California until I retired.
