A Reflection by Gabby Blakemore: Going to Freddie’s farm was more than just seeing how he grows healthy and delicious vegetables…hearing his family history is what touched on a deeper level for me. Freddie Haddox began to tell us the history of his family; they were born and worked on the land as slaves. After the plantation owner died, he left a will entailing that at the time of his passing each slave will get land of their own from his estate. All of the land was left to the slaves. After he passed, the plantation owner’s family put up a huge fight over the land…they felt entitled to it and were outraged that he had left it all to his slaves. This fight, taken to court multiple times, proceeded through the “Reconstruction Period.” Eventually, the courts favored the slaves and they inherited the land for generations. Freddie then explained how his grandmother and mother taught him how to farm and how his step-father, the light-weight boxer, took ownership of the 160 beautiful acres that thrive today. Even with all the stories, history and knowledge that Freddie so proudly gave to us, there was still disbelief that clouded my brain and I really had to hold back tears. Growing up as an African American child, there were some things that were–and still are–really hard to figure and find out about my ancestors. Because of the complicated nature of slavery in this country, honestly, some leaves of my family tree are so separated, lost, and confused that I don’t know where to begin. Explaining how your family line, or knowledge of your family background, stops at a certain person can be very hurtful and gives you a sense of not knowing where you’re going because you don’t know where you come from. This thought alone has always made me question and wonder about my vision of how heaven will be. This is my vision of heaven:

In reflecting back as Freddie spoke and gave so much of his time and energy to the Belle H. Bennett House, the Mamushi Nature Farm as he has named it, gave me a sense of honor and pride. Honor to even be on this loving ground. Honor to get to know and understand how Freddie gives until there is nothing else to give, living a true life that is pleasing to God. Pride that he opened my eyes to the reality that even in a time of uncertain discourse the fight for what is rightfully yours doesn’t die. To never give up on what is meant for you… the land is truly for you… and your soil will be as rich, fruitful, and blessed. Riding back home from the farm, my mind went back to my childhood thoughts of heaven and figuring out family trees… I felt a full-circle moment that there is hope and felt inspired to keep digging to see what I find. I felt that there are no chains against my future because I do have links to my past. I feel blessed to have spent time with Freddie and cannot wait to go back to the farm again. — Gabby