TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
Four generations of the Freeman family captured in 2007.
While they found joy and fulfillment in opening their home, there were also moments of heartache, especially when reuniting children with biological families who might have caused the child’s pain. “It was always challenging when biological parents or grandparents, sometimes the ones who had neglected or hurt the children, came for visits,” Freeman said. “We tried to be open-minded, knowing it was probably just as hard for them to be in our home as it was for us to welcome them.” Yet she continued, driven by deep faith and the resilience of her foster children. “People often think they couldn’t love someone else’s child or that foster parents do it for the money. Neither is true. I learned that sometimes children just need to feel loved and accepted to start healing.” In 1970, when the Freeman family lived in Pensacola, Florida, a six-year-old little boy named Jeff Bates was placed in their home. It was his sixth foster home, and he was only six years old. “I was, as you can imagine, a traumatized child,” shared Bates. “Mamma Pat welcomed me into the family and did her best to ease the pain of this new home. I was also comforted that my biological brother was also in the home because it meant that I wasn’t completely alone. I struggled in my new home and school, and Mamma Pat helped me through the changes, and I was able to adjust.” When the Freeman family relocated to Arkansas in
the summer of 1971, Bates and his brother were placed in a new home. Shortly before the Freeman family left Pensacola, the whole family visited him and his brother in their new home to ensure they were okay. “They didn’t have to visit before leaving,” Bates said, “but in doing so, she made sure we were safe and secure—the same thing she did for me the first day I was welcomed into her family.” Freeman’s story bears witness to the idea that a home is more than just walls, rooms, or the people who share your DNA. A true home is built on love, acceptance, and unwavering support. When looking back on her life, Freeman sees a colorful picture of many different, beautiful little faces all intertwined—hundreds of children who found safety, stability, and love under her very own roof. “It is very hard for a child to leave your home, but if they are being adopted, you know they’re moving into a loving, permanent home,” she reflects. “We would explain to the older kids that the child was going home, reminding them that family ties are strong, and we respected that.” And to anyone considering fostering, Freeman simply offers, “Open your hearts. You’ll receive more than you ever imagined and make memories to last a lifetime.” In a world where so many children are waiting for a place to call home, Pat Freeman’s story reminds us all that family truly isn’t defined by blood but by something
so much stronger. “It’s been a wild, blessed life,” she said. “When people ask how we managed, I always say it was only with God’s help.” With each child welcomed and each sad goodbye, Freeman showed that providing a safe and loving family is one of the greatest gifts we could offer. For those blessed enough to find that love, even if it is only for a short time, it changes everything. And for those willing to open their doors, the rewards are boundless.
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LIFE & STYLE
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