Animals, Like Our Dear Friend, Know Exactly What Love Is. We Won't Forget Either. "How Christian, A Lion Showed Gratitude." Video Attached Now!

I want to dedicate this post and the accompanying video to my friend Frieda Hudson, who I am not allowed to see or visit any longer because (with permission) I carried her on an outing to Walmart and Blockbuster after many months of being confined to a nursing facility.
She had been given permission to go out in January, but no attempts were made to take her anywhere. Frieda has been punished from seeing her friends. I can go freely in my life, although not a day goes by that I don't wish to see her. She spends much of her time alone. However, she is working hard so that she can regain control of her own life.
You can link to the story at the end of this post. It touched me profoundly. I saw many "greater" messages especially in the fact that I have always believed that animals DO remember what we say to them, how we treat them and they do know "LOVE." It both sickens and saddens me that a mere animal, and a wild one at that, showed true love and gratitude, yet a human being that so many in Pamlico County "care about" is in a very sad situation. People are hesitant to stand by her position in HER life because of politics and "saving face." Keeping up appearances at the cost of human dignity is despicable. Only by luck or by the grace of God, we could find ourselves in the same situation. Would you want people playing politics with YOUR life? I think not.
I did everything I could possibly do to stick by Frieda's side after her strokes. I was made fun by the very ones I helped as a result of my commitment. My husband and I were eventually called 'weird' for our commitment. (This was something my family and I had never witnessed before. Usually help of any kind is appreciated). I thought ALL good people stuck by their friends. We included in our care Frieda's family, especially in a time of need. I learned that it sure doesn't always work that way. People who are NOT experts deemed her incompetent, then refused, and disallowed FRIEDA'S requests to have her competency restored. How and why would a family NOT want competency restored? On April 2, I stood up for my friend, as she would have for me. They fought it. What is the motivation to keep her incompetent?
According to the Scripture, Jesus said this TWICE, in two variations, so He meant it and the emphasis showed it was important enough to say twice.
"Matthew 25:40
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Matthew 25:45
Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
Don't worry Frieda, like Christian the lion, I will NEVER forget you. I don't care how long our friendship is kept apart by unfeeling people, nothing will diminish the friendship that you, Wayne and I share. The ones who keeping us apart could only hope to have a friendship that was as fun, trusting and loving as ours is. It has been a painful 4 months of stupidity and selfishness that has kept you from those YOU wish to see. Seems people aren't considering what YOU want in this. Has anyone bothered to ask? I doubt it. Proving a moot point is more important than for you to see your best friends, just as you always had. Everyone has offered excuses as to why they don't visit and as much as I want to, I can't visit. Go figure. Par for the course. Excuses run rampant but they are meaningless and only show how little Frieda Hudson's wishes are truly cared about. As you go on with your own lives, remember, it could be you in the same circumstance. To date, I have kept my mouth shut, looking for the positive and keeping my feelings silent. I chose not to "rage against the machine." But, today, I realized I MUST speak up or it could be perceived that I have given up. I will NEVER give up. Frieda hasn't, nor will I. I am not afraid of any of this nonsense.
Frieda, you will see these posts one day. I thank God every day for the wonderful part of my life you ARE, even though we are kept apart. One day, we can resume OUR friendship and things can get back to the way they were. I think it's so sad that you are being punished for having ONE normal day. I wonder if all the folks involved in this get see their "friends." It takes a friend to "BE" a friend. When folks are so self-absorbed and "ME" oriented, they cannot consider what YOUR needs are Frieda.
But, we're tough. We'll play the silly game. I have no airs to put on, I have no vendetta. I know GOD knows all of this. That is all I need to know.
I will be writing about Frieda's year long battle of survival. I will discuss how she has been cut off from her best friends for absolutely NO reason whatsoever.
Lots of armchair commentators of late, who were not around then (and aren't now) have offered their "supreme" wisdom on the subject, but they weren't there. I feel strongly that even today, Frieda's best interests are not being considered.
My opinion is protected and the constitution of the United States offers me the ability to speak FREELY without repercussions. This is MY blog. I will say what I want at any time I choose.
FIGHT LIKE A LION Frieda Hudson! REMEMBER EVERYTHING. KNOW JUST HOW MANY PEOPLE LOVE YOU AND WE WANT "OUR FRIEDA" BACK! Not the one being presented of late. You deserve so much more than "existing." You have inspired SO many people who have grown to know and admire you as a result of your fight and your strong will.
When others gave up hope, you proved those notions to be totally wrong! One year later, you're still fighting hard...being a hero to many.
We'll be waiting for you when YOU make your own statements to take your life back. We have EVERY confidence that you will...and we'll be there to support you. We are NOT afraid to take a position on this and stand by what YOU VOICED that YOU WANTED. We are not fence riders who hang out with the status quo. We will be here for you, no matter what. A promise is a promise. I can say I have kept mine, as much as the law would allow me to. To quote a song that I love, "Farther along, we'll know all about it. Farther along, we'll understand why. Cheer up my sister...live in the sunshine. We'll understand it all, by and by." Hang TOUGH Frieda. Your day is coming and your life WILL return to YOU!
A year in retrospect brings so much clarity. The whole story needs to be told and perhaps now is the time to do it...we'll see. I will continue to think on things proceed when I wish to share. I will continue to pray for answers and make my own statements as I see fit. My primary concern is the dignity of Frieda Hudson and her rights as a human being.
Do not mistake this post to be "pleading my case." There is none to plead. Things are 'as they are' for now. When you stand on the truth, there is nothing to fear. I miss my friend. THAT is the truth. I have elected to maintain my own integrity, regardless of the lack of it around me. Today, however, I miss Frieda badly and KNOW she misses me BADLY. That angers me, hurts me and most of all, it hurts Frieda. It's time to make a public statement that contains the truth. In fact, do go visit Frieda. (She'd love the company) Mention my name, then have the courage to state publicly FRIEDA'S REACTION and how FRIEDA FEELS. Ask her if she wants to see Anne and Wayne and have the courage to give a truthful accounting of her reaction. Frieda's feelings are worth investigating. Showing dignity would restore Frieda "her voice."
Till next time,
Annie...and the MANY friends who miss Frieda and support her inside AND outside Pamlico county.

Have a hanky ready. You're going to need it.

FRIEDA HUDSON QUOTE TO ANNE HALEY: "LOVE IS ALL." I treasure this note and live by it, knowing it will all be behind us in God's way and In God's time.

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