I Love Rodney Freeman

March 1978, AEA week ( to you young wipper snappers that is now called spring break). Rodney Freeman's parents moved him to P.O. Box 54 Gallant, Alabama, 35972 to grow chickens. He graduated in May of 1978, that same year. How many young people out there today could have been moved out by your self and been put in charge of 2 houses of chickens and have made it, before you even graduated high school. Not many this day and time. This morning I was snuggled warm in my bed, and I heard a boom. My eyes came suddenly open and there stood Rodney dressed ready to leave for work, it was sometime between 3:30 am and 4 am. He had stopped dead( i'm sue thinking i hope that didn't wake her up), he smiled, I'm not sure if I smiled back because the next thing I remember was my kiss on my forehead ( I have the stupid c-pap mask on, so yeah, it's a forehead kiss) and he whispers Happy Valentines Day. I'm not sure if I even said it back. I thought it though, and I know he knows I was thinking it. This is the man I've been married to for 36 years. A man of few sweet words. He wasn't taught sweet words, and is very uncomfortable passing them out. I have heard the words I love you very few times in 36 years. He says, he's not saying it out of habit, like he hears other people, who end their sentences with the words I love you. He thinks you should show your love, that words are hollow. I am shown all the time how much I'm loved. I have daffodils in a vase on my shelf right now. I have 4 beautiful diamonds that he gave me. Their  names are Joshua, Justin, Chelsea and Anna. Not a bagget among them. My diamonds is what he calls them that is not my term. As my sweetie and I get older my diamonds just seem to sparkle more and more. Rodney Freeman I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!!!!!! I HOPE TO HAVE 36 MORE YEARS. Who knows I might even get my lazy self up and cook you supper or NOT.

Pajama Day

Pajama Day

Pajama Day, I’ve called this a lot in my life. On rainy days like today, when you have no plans but to stay home Pajama Day sounds pretty good.  When your just home and the day is a nice lazy day, The Grandchildren have Pajama day at Grammys nearly every time they spend the night with me. They play the day away and they watch a movie with Grammy all comfy and cozy in their PJs. The G-Babies like Pajama Day and so does Grammy.  We all have the right to be comfy in our homes. First thing you do when you come home (or at least a women does) from work or a day out, is kick of those shoes, and then you put on something comfy (and a lot of us loose that upper piece of horrendous under clothes that has dug in and made us miserable all day, you know it’s true). And men I know Rodney Freeman called Naked house when Anna moved to Texas for that little while and had to resend it when she came back home. So, I know y’all like PJ day as much as us ladies and would go further if not for the kids, or family that might just drop in to visit.  Rodney and I got back for a wonderful week at the beach on December 1^st. I had been fighting depression. But that’s nothing new, I fight depression on a daily basis. It’s just who I am. How God made me. Though this time the depression has just about won. But I’m holding so the depression doesn’t win, while trying to hide my crazy. On December 9^th, I ended up with Flu type B and he had a Staph infection with his Eczema on his right leg, it was shorts for him, and PJ’s for me. I ran over 103 nearly a 104 temperature for 4 days. PJ’s was all I could handle. And a really great thing happened Maurice’s had a bunce a huge sales and I bought some really inexpensive flannel PJ’s( You it’s nice that a HIP store the girls shop in also has SUPER EXTRA  EXTRA HUGE SIZES) So my Depressed self-bought all the designs they had and one sleep shirt I bout 2 of because the second one of $5.00. So on December 9^th 2018 when I was diagnosed with Flu Type B(and I keep stressing the Type because it’s important to the story)  and was given Tamiflu (that can cause you to be CRAZY, not good if you already are) strong antibiotics, steroids, shots, and the prescriptions of antibiotics and steroids to take at home. I have a crappy immune system and we were trying to avoid pneumonia. I finally stopped having fever I could after over a week and got to have my children and G-Babies back in my home (Rodney and I didn’t die of Lysol poisoning (which as much as we spray is always a concern, lol). So, I lived in my lovely flannel Pajama’s all that time. They are great. The tops are called sleep shirts and come to my knees so I can wear them with leggings or short pants if it’s hot (over 64 degrees) And the bottoms are so soft I have these long ¾ length tops that are really thins and loose that I can wear with them and am comfy. Or if I’m cold (yeah me cold) I can wear them together which gets me to Saturday December 29^th, 2019. I felt horrible all Christmas week, but I was getting over the FLU TYPE B, and I had no fever, so I thought Myasthenia, Flu recovery, and the Biggy Depression. But I was wrong, I woke up the morning of December 29^th with a low-grade fever which I run a lot (messed up immune system). We had planned to go see what all the G-Babies, and what they had gotten for Christmas. We were going to start with the farthest, Logan and Carter, and work our way back home. Rodney called, and Justin was having to take their RV for some regular maintenance, and he said Leslie was chugged up but didn’t think it was anything catchy. We decided not to go but to go to the doc-in-a-box. Rodney asked me if I just need to go on to the Hospital. I said, “no they will keep me”. That is why we went to the doc-in-a-box.  We really like the one we use, and they are very thorough with their work up. Blood work, nasal swab, throat swab (I hate this one I gag every time) sinus x-rays, chest x-rays (the whole 9 yards.). Well, well, well, the doctor came in and sat down and said, you have the FLU. I said I can’t have the flu. I just had it. He said this is FLU TYPE A (I told you there was a reason I kept stress that stupid type B) and you also have left lower lobe pneumonia. I said but I can’t have that I’m supposed to keep the grandbaby next weekend, he just laughed and said they will have to make other arrangements, because you must be fever free 24 hours before you aren’t contagious and gave a very STRONG ANTIBOTIC and STERIODS.  I ran fever for about 14 days. I was so sick, felt so bad, and I was cold (cold big shocker to anyone who knows me) so Pajama’s it was. Our 38^th Wedding Anniversary was December 31^st. I stayed in Pajama’s I didn’t feel like lifting my head. It was the first time in a loooooooong time that we didn’t do a Rodney and Lisa Special Date Day. That’s our day and we don’t usually share it. Then on the next day food and games at my sister’s house on New Year’s Day, Fever 102 couldn’t go, but I insisted Rodney go fix me a plate…lol… I love that Man; One of the Greatest Blessing God has given me, is Rodney S. Freeman.  Then IVIG every 3 weeks, trying to get my strength back. So now I am living in my Pajamas, but I do put a clean pair every day. One reason I think I couldn’t get my strength back, I was the falling deeper in the dark hole of DEPRESSION. I wasn’t getting to go to Church. I hadn’t gotten to go since November. I missed my Church, I missed my Church Family. Rodney recorded Christmas stuff for me and Amanda and Shane or Karen posted a video of all the little ones on the Sunday before Christmas as they did a Nativity Scene. I was beautiful. And I was so thankful for my Church family for all the prayers and the thoughtful and encouraging things they said to me on Facebook. All the while I’m still in my Pajama’s every day. So here comes January I’m sick with the Flu through the first half and then we have a million doctors’ appointments the 2^nd half. Oh, and it’s time for IG again. And all I can think about is getting home and getting in those Pajamas. Pajamas have taken over my thought process. I don’t think I can live if I’m not in Flannel PJs (not hiding my crazy very well right now). One of my January appointments was with the psychiatrist, I’ve been going since January 2006. Told y’all I was Crazy. I told her how bad the Depression is right now. I’m just not coping at all. Rodney went in with me and echoed everything I said. (you know he should be put up for saint hood for dealing with me for 38 years). So, we decided to add a low low low dose of an extra medication to see if it would help lift me of the depression. OH, MY GOODNESS, I went crazy MANIC. I bought some of the best stuff ever. I even put on those horrible upper under clothes and got dressed, though all my clothes resemble PJ” s (can’t help myself). On Thursday January 31^st I crashed. I mean crashed and burned. Three of my children were here that day I was supposed to keep RJ. OH, MY I couldn’t keep my eyes open, it was horrible. I think I scared them. So, the next day when Kerry arrived Joshua was not far behind nor the other 2 to tell on me. But I beat them to the punch, lol. I told on myself.  We didn’t know if some of my IG pre-meds had reacted with the new medication or what, that had caused the sleeping. But everyone had noticed the MANIC but me. My myasthenic body just couldn’t take that much activity and crashed. I had been buying stuff like crazy and had a lot of stuff to send back. Doing a lot of stuff my body doesn’t usually do.  Kerry made me call to get an appointment that day with the psychist. Joshua took me, Rodney met us, so he could also tell her how I had been. CRAZY (yoga ring remember). I am still struggling with the buying everything I see. They say it the Dopamine that’s released, I don’t know, but I do know it has to stop. I went back Friday February 8^th to see Mrs. Ramona. We talked for a very long time, I’m sure the rest of her patients wished I would have just hushed. My blood pressure was 179/105. She said that every morning she Prayed, Lord pleased help me make the right decision that will help the people I see today. And after we talked, she said I’m not getting anything on what we need to do today. I don’t want you this depressed, I think your brain needs a rest from the new medication that we tried before we do anything else. Your blood pressure is high that needs to be addressed before any new medication. She said I just don’t know what to do with you. I said then that’s your answer from God “nothing today”.  So, she and I agreed I would have my blood pressure seen about and then when I go back in April if I’m still this depressed, we will try a different medication. I’m good with this decision. Pajama’s till April, who could ask for anything more. And I ask that y’all pray for me and her as we try to get my brain chemicals on an even keel. It may take a bit, but at least I will have my Pajama’s to comfort me. Pajama Day for Everyone, I call IT…lol… Now you know why you haven’t heard much from me except flu updates since November. And I know EVEN IF, GOD chooses not to remove this depression from my life HE IS STILL GOD, AND THAT IS ALL I NEED. I 100% don’t need a Yoga Ring.

Psalm 62  (KJV)

1Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.

² He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.

³ How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.

⁴ They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.

⁵ My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.

⁶ He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.

⁷ In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

⁸ Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

⁹ Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.

¹⁰ Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.

¹¹ God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.

¹² Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.

Mama and Daddy

Lisa Freeman

December 26, 2018 · 

Happy 59th Anniversary. I’m going to tell you a story that I’ve heard all my life. How daddy stole mama on Christmas Day. I may get some facts wrong but this is how I remember it going. I love this story. Mama and Daddy, met when she went to the beach with a friend and her family to visit the friends boyfriend ( he may have already been a fiancée, I can’t remember that detail) He was in the navy stationed at Jacksonville Florida. That’s where mama met daddy. Daddy was also in the Navy stationed at Jacksonville Florida. I think the story goes he and the other guy( can’t remember his name)drove from Jacksonville Florida to North Carolina every weekend end after that. I guess you could say love at first site. Mama’s mama and daddy were not very happy about mama seeing daddy if I remember correctly. So they really didn’t announce to anyone that they were seeing each other. On Christmas Day 1959, Mama was supposed to go to a wedding with the family but she played sick. And that’s when daddy stole her. As they drove to Alabama. They had planned to get married before they arrived at my Nanny and Grandaddy’s house. That part didn’t exactly workout as planned. (I can’t remember why, might be because it was Christmas Day and nothing was open, only a guess) I have heard in the telling of this great adventure that daddy stopped at every state line and mama walked across because mama was 16 and daddy was 19. And he could have gotten in big trouble for carrying a minor over state lines... lol... when they showed up at my Grandparents house(daddy’s parents, Wallace and Estelle Smith, who knew they were coming). But thought the would already be married. When Nanny found out they weren’t married yet she sat up in mama’s room all night and I think I’ve heard that Granddaddy said “Estelle you’ve got the get them married “ lol... so off the Trenton Georgia they went on December 26, 1959. Since mama was 16 she had to have a parent sign for her and Nanny (daddy’s mama) signed for her to get married (sometimes I wonder at the legality of that) but it was recorded at the courthouse so it was legal and binding. And that was the beginning of mama and daddy’s 59 years of wedded bliss.... lol ... not that there weren’t many bumps in their Road. Daddy was in the navy and I was born in Jacksonville Florida on the naval base. Mama was admitted to the hospital a month before I was born because of Preeclampsia( super high blood pressure). Where she couldn’t get out of bed for that month. That couldn’t have been easy on a newly married couple away from all there family. But it was just one little bump in their Road. God has truly blessed them, they have always held to God’s hand no matter the trial. Laura, John and I are truly blessed to have be born to them. They weren’t perfect and neither are we. But I know if there anything We ever need my mama will move heaven and earth to see that I get it. And their 9 grandchildren are so blessed especially the older ones, with camping trips and day trips, and much time spent with them. That helped them become the adults they are today. I say daddy did a pretty good job when he stole mama from North Carolina. The story I’ve told is as I remember it being told to me. The some facts may be wrong but the main fact is correct. James and Evelyn Smith are celebrating their 59th wedding anniversary today. And no matter how it started it has had God’s hand on it from the beginning. So forgive me if I’ve gotten some of the facts wrong(I really don’t think I have). But I think it’s a beautiful story. I’ve heard it all my life. It’s part of my story. Love you Mama and Daddy Happy Anniversary.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Ephesians 5:25
However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Ephesians 5:33
There are three things that amaze me—no, four things that I don’t understand: how an eagle glides through the sky, how a snake slithers on a rock, how a ship navigates the ocean, how a man loves a woman. Proverbs 30:18-19
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Proverbs 31:10
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Ecclesiastes 4:9
With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth. Genesis 1:27-28
Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:24
Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate. Mark 10:9
Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10
Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32
I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine. Song of Solomon 2:16
Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. Song of Solomon 8:7
I have found the one whom my soul loves. Song of Solomon 3:4