I am so upset right now and I am having trouble being a nice person. On Saturday our son, Bobby, helped our men's group tear down an old building for a lady at our church. She is divorced and has two kids and needed this done. Anyway while they were there she told the guys that the boat beside another out building was free for the taking. Nobody wanted it but when Bobby told Freddy about it he went and looked at it. Even though the lady had said just come get it, I waited and talked to her at church on Sunday and sure enough she just wanted to give it away. It has been sitting since 2001 and her ex husband won't move it even though she has tried to get him to for three years. I said are you sure he won't be upset and she said she was sure and to tell Freddy to come get it. So yesterday morning he went and moved it over to our house. The tires were flat on it but they held air. It was full of leaves, dirt, ants, a rat's nest and well you get the picture. He cleaned it all out and pressure washed it. Then he cleaned it with fiberglass cleaner. It was really looking good by last night. Then around six pm the phone rings and it is the lady from church. Seems her ex found out and pitched a fit. He is a rough guy so we should have seen this coming. I actually kept thinking all day yesterday that he might. Well she feels terrible and Freddy tried to make her feel better. He even asked her if her ex would want to sell it. She didn't know but said she would ask. Anyway Freddy told her to tell him it was here and to just come and get it if that is what he needed to do. So nothing else happened last night. Freddy left this morning to go fishing with his dad whose brother is very sick with cancer and Freddy wanted to get his dad's mind off of that for a while. So about 30 minutes ago I heard a car going real fast up our street. I looked out and it was the ex husbands SUV. He whipped it around and backed up to the boat and hooked it up and left with out saying a word. He should have felt awful after all the work Freddy did but he isn't the type I guess to care or offer to pay for all the cleaning stuff Freddy bought. I just feel so awful for Freddy. He has wanted a boat forever but with all the kids and foster kids we just never had the money for one. He has a little jon boat but nothing like the one we almost had. He is being a nice guy about it and that is such a good example for our kids but I am so sad for him. I had hoped the guy would offer to sell it real cheap but I guess he was too mad. Well I just needed to vent a little. Thanks for listening. Beth
Well how crappy is that?!?! I would be steaming mad! How lucky for the jerk! He got his old boat cleaned for free! I'm so sorry for your hubby. He deserves better than that crap but some people are just like that.
Beth, so sorry to hear about this incident. Freddy is such a great person, but I know he is probably feeling lousy right about now. God will honor his actions. This guy has to answer for his actions, and he will. I will be praying for Freddy, he is such a nice guy.
You what I hear when I read your post? I hear that you have one awesome husband! You should be so proud of your dh's ability to maintain his testimony during this event. To have something you wanted for so long given to you...to think of it as a blessing from God...and then it is taken. Many could not have been as well mannered and God honoring as Freddy. I am grateful you shared this! He truly blessed me today. Oh and the ex...I am sure he blames the ex-wife for giving away HIS boat. He probably figures that if anyone owes for his boat being cared for it is her since it wasn't up to him to give it away. Not a great attitude but I am betting that is how he feels. Maybe you should explain to this woman how much Freddy spent and put into this boat. This was HER mistake. Maybe she will step up and pay for the time and materials Freddy used. I am guessing though that Freddy isn't interested in that though. lol.
Oh no Freddy would never accept money from her. We have known her since she was little and our twins were in her wedding as flower girls. I just feel bad that she feels guilty and I pray it doesn't cause any big fights with the ex. There are two children involved and they don't need to see their parents fighting. Freddy never mentioned how much he has spent on cleaning stuff but it did bother me that he did all the work and the guy never even came to the door to see if he was here. I didn't go outside because this guy has a drinking problem and a hot temper. Babyboy is here and my girls so we stayed inside. I am glad we weren't out in the yard when he pulled up. Thanks for all your kind words. Freddy is a good man and I adore him. I guess that is why this bothers me so much. Beth
I read the first couple sentences and knew right where the story was going. Your dh is a good guy. It bothers me too when things like that happen to my dh.
Praise God that the guy was dealing with such a godly man (your dh). Otherwise that story could have been really ugly! I'm sorry that you lost the boat, but I pray that Freddie's attitude will have a profound effect on that man.
Your husband is indeed a good, godly, man!:angel: He obviously can see that this man has some serious problems of his own and that it isn't worth carrying the situation on any further. I love to hear stories such as this one. It reflects your husbands character. It isn't easy to take the high road but he did and will be blessed. Patty
You must be so proud of your husband and the example he has set for your family and really for everyone who knows about the situation! There is another silver lining that hasn't been mentioned. Your friend had a boat in her yard that was probably dangerous for your friend's children. Since it housed a rat (or some rats), ants, etc., it could not have been a healthy addition to the yard. Plus, it obviously was a bone of contention for the friend and her ex (i.e. another negative in the kids' lives). So, your husband actually greatly improved the conditions (physical and probably emotional) for the children. Perhaps knowing that he was the catalyst for this positive change in the kids' lives will soften the unfortunate blow.
Freddy is home from fishing with his dad and he seemed glad that the ex came while he was gone. As I said before the guy has a temper and Freddy being an ex cop knows how people can blow up and do things they later regret. I think it was best that none of us talked to him. I hope this will be the end to the whole thing. It is as far as we are concerned anyway. Beth
Beth, that is so sad. I hope you all get back on your feet soon. That happens to us all the time. My dh has taught us if it's to good to be true, it's not true.
Kris, That is what I kept thinking the whole day before our lady friend from church called. I kept thinking this is too good to be true. But we are fine. I just feel sad for Freddy. He is fine but I am sure he is disappointed. He doesn't let things get to him so he is really okay. We all are. Beth
Mine too! I adore my dh too! I get mad and feel bad, and my dh says, "In a few weeks, will this really matter anyway? It's not worth getting upset over!" And of course, he's right! I admire Freddy and the way he handled this! What a witness he is to the kids, the lady friend, and even to the ex! I am glad you are blessed with such a wonderful husband, but I will also say this: I am glad HE is blessed with such a wonderful wife!!! :love:
Thanks Deena, We got married when I was 16 and he was 18. I had Matthew one week before I turned 18. The girls were born 4 years later and then we adopted the others when the first three were teenagers. It has been a life full of kids with 116 foster kids over the years. Freddy is a good man. I raised him right! It will be 36 years on August 22nd and the years have flown by. He has always agreed with me on the kids who have come into our lives and I love him for that. Beth
we have been married for 23 years but together for 30 it seems just like yesterday. He is a sweet man. I enjoy every mintue with him.
