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Author Jackie Freeman to sign books at Olivet Saturday

Courtesy Photos Author Jackie Freeman, pictured above, will sign copies of her two books from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday at Olivet.

ALPENA — Jackie Freeman has a song in her heart, and she wants to share it with you.

The Michigan author will be in Alpena on Saturday signing copies of her two books from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Olivet Book & Gift on the corner of Chisholm Street and 2nd Avenue downtown.

Her most recently published book is a devotional called “Keep a Song in Your Heart — Musical Notes for Daily Devotions.”

“Music has always been part of my journey,” Freeman said on her website, jackiefreemanauthor.com. “My mother frequently told me I hummed a tune before I spoke a word. My recently released book … reveals my love for music — a love I hope to share with you. I based this devotional on the faded, well-thumbed, well-loved sheet music of gospel songs my mother played for me, her soloist.”

Freeman co-authored a second book, published in November 2020, with former Alpena resident Karen Worthy, who now lives in Jackson. That book is called, “Bend Your Knees, Louise!” It is a fun pickleball primer, illustrated with colorful pictures by Kevin Fales.

Freeman's devotional book, “Keep a Song in Your Heart — Musical Notes for Daily Devotions," will be available at Olivet on Saturday.

“That is a children’s picture book about the sport of pickleball,” Freeman said.

In that book, a fun-loving grandmother teaches her grandkids, Jack and Louise, the sport of pickleball “in a wise and playful way — and the results are even better than she hopes.”

Freeman noted that co-author Karen (Moggie) Worthy graduated from Alpena High School in 1976.

Freeman will have copies of both books available on Saturday at Olivet.

She explained her journey.

Freeman also co-authored the children’s book, “Bend Your Knees, Louise!” with Karen Worthy, illustrated by Kevin Fales.

“I am now a widow and an orphan and an empty-nester,” said Freeman, who lives in Onsted. “My story is unique to me, and yet many people travel this grief and loss and disappointment journey.”

Her mother died in 2018.

“When I held the sheet music my mother had played for me, as a soloist, it was then I began to know how powerful the written word is. So I began writing devotions based on those songs.”

She has created a Spotify playlist to accompany the book.

“Southern Gospel music is what I grew up on,” she added.

She hopes others will relate to her story and gain wisdom from the scriptures included in the devotional.

“Perhaps the message of my story might inspire someone,” Freeman said.

Her bio on her website states, “Jackie is a woman who loves words. Words that inform. Words that inspire. Speaking, singing, reading, and writing words. And she loves to make a joyful noise to her beloved Lord and Savior.”

“This book is really a legacy project,” Freeman said of the devotional.

“Her love of words blossomed as a child when her grandmother, Nettie Thomas, introduced her to literature,” her website continues. “Her home had a marvelous collection of books, from Louisa Mae Alcott to Margaret Mitchell, Zane Grey, and Mary Jane Holmes. Jackie’s passion for reading and writing started with her grandmother’s bookcase. Years later, she joined writers’ groups to hone her skills.”

“Grandma often talked about characters in the ‘Little Prudy’ books and ‘Little Women’ — as if they were childhood friends,” Freeman noted on her website. “From the comfort of her living room, she took me on dusty, winding trails while reading Zane Grey westerns. And of course, she introduced me to spine-tingling adventures in ‘Nancy Drew Mysteries,’ the ‘Bobbsey Twins’ and the ‘Hardy Boys’ series.”

Freeman graduated from Siena Heights University, specializing in early childhood education. While serving as an adjunct at SHU, she also became an assistant principal of a Montessori school, and later served as the Early On Coordinator for Saline Area Schools.

After that, she became a full-time caregiver, first for her husband and then for her parents. She and her husband raised their three sons on a 60-acre farm in southeast Michigan.

“Another library that inspired me during my childhood was located inside my little hometown church, where I became enthralled with the written word,” Freeman continued. “I eagerly turned the yellowed, rough pages of donated volumes, with that distinct smell of aged wisdom, to discover what happens next. One book, ‘Through Gates of Splendor,’ captured my attention. Written in 1957, by Elisabeth Elliot, ‘Through Gates of Splendor’ is the account of her life as a missionary, the massacre of her husband and four other missionaries, and her devotion to God and His work. The story stunned me.”

Freeman was inspired to learn more.

“I wanted to know her God,” she stated on her website. “I wondered if I could trust Him as much as she did, and I longed to learn how to live a life pleasing to Him, as she had done. Decades later, I continue to find myself drawn to her writings. Her lifetime devoted to Christ still inspires. One of my treasured quotes from the book, ‘Becoming Elisabeth Elliot,’ written by Ellen Vaughn, is, ‘Teach me never to let the joy of what has been pale the joy of what is.’ I hold these words close to my heart as I find joy in the journey.”

Freeman will have another children’s book out by Thanksgiving, she said, inspired by her own mother.

“It is titled, ‘I’m OK, Mama,’ and it’ll have the fruit of the spirit woven throughout,” she said.

She has always loved words.

“Words have always been a part of my life,” Freeman added. “Singing them, writing them, reading them … I’ve always journaled about experiences … the stories have been written over my lifetime.”

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