I just finished reading the book by his mother Maria and after so many years I still cried. Freddie taught us "ALL" a valuable lesson. 1) Not to use drugs, 2) Be aware of those closest around us, 3) Listen to other persons and their feelings, 4) Have no fear to speak up if something bothers us 5) Don't play around with guns. He did not die in vain....... - His mother was truly an example to "ALL" us mothers out there. She was so strong at the end.... Her faith in GOD never left her side. At such an important moment in her life she still trusted the Lord. "Thank you Maria Pruetzel for making this book and seeing another side of Freddie that I didn't know before". Soon it will be 25 years that he has passed. The times just goes so quickly........... I won't post any more "sad stuff" on Freddie. I'm just glad I found this board cause it helped me to deal with the pain I had in me for 24 years and never really dealt with....

Well said, JennyLee! I really feel for Freddie's mother. I really didn't understand the love a mother has for her child until I became a mother myself. This has inspired me, more than ever, to keep the lines of communication open with my children and let them know they can come and talk to me about anything (drugs, sex, whatever!) I also am thinking about working in suicide prevention with troubled adolescents/young adults. I hope Mrs Pruetzel knows how much her son is still loved and missed!

Well Said also JennyLee, This has taught me valuable lessons indeed.

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GET OUT OF MY GARAGE!!!

hello jenny,
that's great that you have finished reading the book. It is a very sad book to read.

Sounds like a very sad book, & a good read & a good cry...

I just finished reading the book also and so much was said in a small amount of reading.
Freddie's mother did a wonderful job of summing up his life. I was wondering if anyone read anywhere else about WHY Freddie was bleeding inside like he spoke to his father about.
Did the drugs do that to him or the stress,
exhaustion and/or poor eating habits do it?
It never elaborated anymore about it in the book but I guess that was close to the end of his prescious life and no one ever knew.
Such a shame!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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[This message has been edited by Peko (edited 07-20-2001).]

Yes Peko, now that you mention it I do remember it mentioning his enlarged spleen.
Was that due to his drug abuse and drinking I wonder. I need to do some reading up on that subject. I just feel so bad with all he had to endure his last few months/weeks of his life.

Hi,
I have read the book twice since recieving it April 9th great book but I cried.
It was sad that he was turned away when he wanted to go church, I wonder if the man who turned him away remembered seeing,and turning Freddie away, when he heard all the news stories and pictures after his death?
I wonder if he felt bad that he turned away someone in need. Wan't that a beautiful baby picture He looks like he was laughing