We recently connected with Anna Bradford and have shared our conversation below.

Anna , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

Finding joy in Gratitude. By Anna Bradford.

The memory is crystal clear, the smoke smell that had imprinted our jackets and hair, a stranger’s arms wrapping me tight in a blanket to insure protection from a crisp November breeze. My lips were chapped, my hands so cold, my face flush, but I couldn’t complain. Not now.
I watched as kids pressed their noses to the glass of car windows watching. We all were watching. Piles of ash stacked high, our belongings scattered all over a dirt floor, firemen pushing through a crowd of neighbors carrying hoses. Our home was gone, our house had dissolved almost entirely into an ashy mound, piled high with Sheetrock. The roof had turned to dust, and sparks still hot lay in the grass. And oh, how I was bitter. It was days before Thanksgiving, and I had no intention of being thankful that year.
All we had was scattered across the yard in big smoking heaps. Pieces of our life lost. The photo albums from my childhood, the shoes, clothes, books, furniture, and all other belongings my family had owned were now laying before us in a mound of broken glass.
Years later I was talking with a family friend who had also lost their home in a house fire, and she had told me how after that experience she had wanted more in life all together. That registered with me, and I wanted to get into a field that could help people. My background was not in health care, but I had a passion for people, and I wanted to pursue a career that would help enrich lives. I got into the senior industry because the thing about the seniors in these communities – they find joy in gratitude. Many of them never wanted to leave their homes, start fresh in a senior community, but they had to make sacrifices to live a better life. I love my job because education is power and educating these families and seniors on what a full and happy life they can have fulfills me.

Whether it’s a house fire that destroys pieces of your life, an illness that won’t go away, or a loved one who you lost, there is pain around us everywhere. It’s easy to ask the question. “Why me? Why us? Why now? Yet in the worst of times, during the lowest of situations, there is always a time to be thankful and always blessings to count. I think so often we think we know what is best for our lives. We try to control every aspect as if we can. We take for granted the moments that matter most because we are so hyper focused on what we think will fulfill us. If there is one thing, I have learned from working with seniors, it is to find joy in gratitude. Life can be so full if you take action and choose to move forward.

Anna , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Anna Bradford, and I the Marketing Director at Legacy Reserve Independent living and assisted living community in Simpsonville SC. I have worked in the industry for a while now and have grown to have a strong passion for helping within the Senior community.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

compassion. — I’m in the people business, and I think a lot of people see the title “Marketing Director” and they assume I am going to pitch them like a used car salesman. I am passionate about my occupation because it’s not about the “sale” of moving someone into our communities, but it truly is what is best for the senior and what Environment will enrich their lives. Having the education and the resources to explain to them the whole Longterm process, and what to expect, helps families in so many ways as they navigate through this difficult transition.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

please refer back to first question i answered

Contact Info:

• Website: https://atlasseniorliving.com/legacy-reserve-fairview/
• Instagram: annaebradford
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011071510673
• Linkedin: Anna Bradford

Image Credits
images were taken by Atlas Senior living photographer. you have permission to use them