Open Seat: A Holy Family Podcast

Jesus, Send Me: Big Acts, Small Actors

• Holy Family Adrian • Season 1 • Episode 6

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Join us as with sit in the Open Seat with Ken Freshcorn today. From his early life as the youngest of ten children to his time at Boysville of Michigan, Ken shares his experiences and struggles on his journey of faith, family, and helping others. Hear about his battles with addiction, moments of divine intervention, and his commitment to making a difference in the lives of those around him. This episode is truly an unfiltered conversation about faith, resilience, and the power of kindness. We hope that where ever you find an open seat, you, like Ken, invite someone to sit next to you.

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This is a podcast of Holy Family Parish, located in Adrian MI. We are a Catholic people, not a place, striving to Live Jesus through celebrating the sacraments and forming disciples in Adrian and beyond.

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Open Seat es un podcast Parroquia de la Sagrada Familia ubicada en Adrian, Michigan. Somos un pueblo católico, no un lugar, que se esfuerza por vivir a Jesús celebrando los sacramentos y formando discípulos en Adrian y más allá.

I pray that the Lord puts somebody in my way each day. I said, put somebody in my way today that needs my help. He, he lifts me up right then. I'm thinking now, well, he's going to do it. Who's it going to be today? It was again. Where am I going to do it today? welcome to Open Seat, the podcast where we create a space for authentic conversations about faith, unfiltered and unapologetic. Here, we believe that every story matters. Whether you're questioning, seeking, or steadfast in your beliefs, you'll find something relatable in these heartfelt discussions. So grab your seat, get comfortable, and let's dive into today's story here at Open Seat. Open Seat.

Katie:

So today, on the podcast, we have the very humble, Kenneth Aloysius Montgomery Gonzales Freshcorn. we're so blessed to have you today Ken

Freshcorn:

I can't even tell how it feels to be here. This morning, last night, I was scared. I kept saying, why are you scared? God is with you every minute. He's taking care of you all this and He showed you all these things I'm good I'm ready to go

Katie:

you're also one of my partners in crime. But we'll get to later. Why don't you tell me a little bit about young Ken, 'cause I hear there are some really good stories about young Ken.

Freshcorn:

Well, we don't want to get into too many of 'em but I am the youngest of ten. By the time I come along, my folks had a little more money. And, I was spoiled one. I was a spoiled brat. I remember many times sister saying now, Kenneth, we thought we was gonna have to kill you before you was 18. She said you just wouldn't listen to nothin'. Even though I got it from all their boyfriends, my mouth, but, I had I I wanna say a good life. I had food, clothing, a roof over my head, everything. I lived two blocks from grade school, two blocks from the high school, was good. What

Katie:

were your hobbies when you were growing up?

Freshcorn:

I probably shouldn't of but I was on the roller skating team the speed team at the Skateadium. And if my mom and dad were working or whatever at 13, 14, 15, I was hitchhiking to Adrian.

Katie:

Because you grew up where?

Freshcorn:

In Tecumseh.

Katie:

In Tecumseh, ok.

Freshcorn:

I really didn't play any sports and that. I was too busy showing off. Doin' motorcycle stuff and stuff that I shouldn't be doing.

Katie:

You should have been like a peacock or a deer because you were trying to show off in front of the ladies. Is that what you're saying?

Freshcorn:

Ha They liked it.

Katie:

Alright, so after you graduated high school, what did Ken get into?

Freshcorn:

it was 368 days and my lotto number would've been drawn for the the military. And they called it off the, draft. They called it off. And I ended up finding a young lady that I took a fancy to. And the next thing I know. I was married and had three great sons. They're all not been in trouble, they're all doing great, more than I so. That only lasted about five years. And unfortunately she's passed away and we don't have to say too much but, my boys, like I say are When they call me they don't ask me for money or anything like that. But every once in a while they'll call me and ask me for some advice. And or how would you go about doing that? And that really It just it lifts it just Pushes my chest up, and I pump myself up, say yeah,they still need the old man. But they're they're good kids, my grandkids are just awesome and

Katie:

So you have how many children?

Freshcorn:

I have three boys, well, four boys.

Katie:

so one of your sons most recently had a pretty big health scare, right? And how did you get through that time with him?

Freshcorn:

Again, I didn't, they don't ask for And he didn't call me and tell me it was actually his wife called me that you need to get with your son. And, so I did and we talked and he said, well, Dad, I got to have a liver transplant. And I freaked, of course, and never had anybody in the family have something like that, so I really didn't know, but it was my son, and he lives in Detroit. I went down there every day. I went to the hospital for, I don't know, three weeks every day, drove to Detroit, which is, I think I'd rather take a punch in the eye than drive in Detroit.

Katie:

No offense to anyone listening from Detroit.

Freshcorn:

Hey! No, their guys are good down there. just everybody knows where they're going except me. It was amazing to see him, if amazing is the word I want to use, he had a lot of tubes in him and stuff like that and when I seen him laying there and I just, I stayed there and he was, he was 50 some years old. And for him to look up at me and it was just me and him and he would look up at me and smile. And, of course, go back to sleep. But he, he knew I was there, I would pray that he was going to be alright. And today he's at this point I think it's been three years that he's up doing it worked.

Katie:

so, you have four boys. And any live around here?

Freshcorn:

I have one that lives Madison, right by Madison High school. I ain't bragging, I never brag. Grandson graduated Michigan, go blue. granddaughter graduated Toledo Nursing School. Sorry, I can't think of the name of Lourdes but it was an awesome school. She's a big time nurse now and they're doing great. They don't have time for Gramps anymore, but it's good.

Katie:

And you have one more grandchild? You want to tell us a little bit about Miguel?

Freshcorn:

he's like 6'1 6'2 and he's about 220 and he's only 16. And

Katie:

And he's got Gramps wrapped right around his finger.

Freshcorn:

And he's just got his license, or just getting his permit now and that, and he was having a hard time remembering my telephone number. But, you know, it's amazing that he's remembered it every other day for a month or so. But, we're talking about his dad has a contraction mill business and he wanted a car. Now it seems that he wants a four wheel drive truck. So I got his sister one so he's thinking I owe him one too,

Katie:

Oh, you found your phone number.

Freshcorn:

number. Yeah, he's calling me. He called me last night. As a matter of fact. Hey, Gramps, what's up?

Katie:

So with your first wife you have three boys. And that lasted five years. Then what happened to Ken Freshcorn?

Freshcorn:

Well, I started at Boysville of Michigan. It's a juvenile institution. And you had to have a degree to work there. I did not have one. But I had a horse farm, and so I took care of the horses out there. If you can take 12 kids from the inner city and teach them how to they have to clean the horses hooves before they get on, and teach them how to ride, the brothers out there said, we need you on that side. Said, we need you on the other side. Because you can work with the kids. Well, I was out one night, a lady walked in, and she had a smile from that was just amazing. Next thing you know, two years later, we were married, and a year later we had a son named Raul. I don't know, I'm a guy that when I start a job, I can't stop until I'm done. Sometimes I'm too tired to finish and my son the same way. He works 12, 14 hours a day and he's really doing good. he'll send me something and say, you know Dad, if it wasn't for you I wouldn't know how to do this. He does stuff that I have no idea what he's even doing, but he said that I got him started and we had a pool, we was putting a deck around the pool And I got a picture of him when he was like five, six, and he had a little tool belt, a hammer and, that, so.

Katie:

And, you worked at Boysville for how long?

Freshcorn:

Eighteen years.

Katie:

Eighteen years. And then where did you start working?

Freshcorn:

At the church here. Well I started at Boysville in 1975 and in left in '92. I got baptized when I was 12. I didn't know what was going on really. I was antsy and wanted to get out of there and this and that. So I didn't, and I really didn't know.

Katie:

Were you baptized Catholic?

Freshcorn:

No, I was baptized Methodist. but I didn't really know what was going on. and So, I didn't, go to church. I was for sure in late teens and this and that. I was running, running. And, when I started at a Boysville we had to go to church every Saturday night with the boys. We took the boys to church. I still didn't get it. I heard it, the brothers would talk to me, and they would say things me like, I knew I, shouldn't have said. but it was at Boysville, where and I met some other guys that worked there, that would we would run every day at lunchtime, and they would, not sure that's what God wants you to say, or that's what you're doing. What? And that went on. And then, like I said, I, met my, second wife and she, was Catholic. And, we went to classes at St. Joe's And Margaret Noe was my teacher. And taught me some things. It was really good. It was a joy. And actually when I would leave it, I would always be happy. I know it was God, but Margaret was pretty funny, too.

Katie:

Yes, yes she is pretty funny.

Freshcorn:

Got married in'78 and, that lasted 20 years, just her work and I was working two jobs because we had a horse farm and I was just doing that and we grew apart. To this day. I love her. She knows it. She's not doing real well in health wise, but she's being taken care of. I don't know, it was after that, it wasn't too long after that, I fell into a Brown bottle. And, that was not good. that was it took me about 15 years or so to get out of that. And I got out of that by the help of a great gentleman downtown at the courthouse. I got two DUIs in one week.

Katie:

That's impressive.

Freshcorn:

Well, he didn't think it was. And the thing was, is one I was, the second one I wasn't, but they see me leaving and I did have beer on my breath and I wasn't in very long. I went to court and Mr. Sheraton me Ken, I'm not going to fine you. Ken, I'm not going to put you in jail. But he says, Ken, if you come before me again, I promise you, you'll spend a year. Never smoked another cigarette, never drank another beer. It was 25 years or I will, me and my wife down had tacos the other night, and I had a beer. a couple days later, me and my wife is out to eat. it's far and in between. I think I can handle it, but you never know. When you're an alcoholic, you don't know. And I don't do it without my wife with me. I don't.

Katie:

So you fell into the brown bottle then what happens?

Freshcorn:

I've been hit, he's whacked me a couple of times,

Katie:

Meaning God?

Freshcorn:

Yes. He, he's whacked me and, and, uh, showed me my ways. As I was sitting there waiting to get sentenced I said a prayer. I looked up and I just closed my eyes and said a prayer, asked him to do the right thing, Or let me handle whatever happens, just let me handle it lo and behold, nothing happened, really, other than, you know, I got a promise that it would happen. And I walked home, Oh, they did take my license away, yeah. For a minute. I knew something had happened right there, and I still, again, I didn't know what happened. And it went on I don't know how many years. And I worked at St. Joe's. I come to Catholic Church, St. Joe's, in 1992. Father Williams hired me. I can tell you some jokes he told me, but I won't. Father Jim, Father Dave, Father Mike, they were just, a plethora of them. And I, I had some friends that were good people in town here. And they went to Bethany Assembly of God, and they said why don't you come and go with us? But I did. And as we're sitting there, it was a good sermon. Towards the end, the pastor looked up and, he says, is there anybody here that wants to give their soul to God? And I'm thinking, for like two seconds I'm thinking, of a sudden, and this is, I still to this day. well I know, Holy Spirit got in my heart, I couldn't, I got up and I couldn't stop my feet. kept walking, and my body was going one way, my feet was going another. Took me down front, they prayed on me, we got out, and the people I was with said, Hey we're going to breakfast, and I says no, I gotta figure out what just happened, because I had no idea what had just went through my body. And I went down to the golf course, Woodlawn, right down the street, And to where I golfed at. And I went down there and cried like a baby. Because I literally couldn't figure out why I couldn't stop my feet, why, because I don't get up in front of people like that went and talked to that pastor a week later, a few days whatever it he laughed. He's said, he gotcha, and it was, at that time things started turning around I retired from St. Joe's and I worked at the soup Kitchen for 10 years The Daily The Daily Bread, I got to say prayer every day for the people and sometimes they would say it or not, But, it amazed me, I have people to pray for would come to the back room ask me touch them and for them I'm not a pastor, I'm not and they said, you got something. To this day, they're still, I still run into them. They still come to my house and they still ask me. They'll ask me for money or something. And I used to give it to them. And now I say, no. Wash my car inside and out. Mow my grass.

Katie:

And, and you'll give them money then?

Freshcorn:

Oh yeah, oh yeah, then I give them money and if I need help, I call 'em.

Katie:

I'm so glad that you talk about this part. Because, one of the things that I think you do better than anybody else I've ever encountered is you see people for who they are. If anyone ever has the privilege of riding with you in that, identifiable truck of yours, then they will know, that You are flagging down somebody who quite honestly usually is a homeless unhoused person. And you have a conversation with them like you're old friends from 40 years ago. And you two never forget each other.

Freshcorn:

Some I know, some I don't.

Katie:

But it doesn't matter because you will have a conversation with them like you know them for, 20 years. And I am myself, I know guilty of driving by people and not even waving at them. And here you are, rolling down the window, and if you got some food in your truck, God help them. Cause they're about to eat it. And. it's just like, Hey brother, how are you? I haven't seen you in a while. What's going on? it is one of the most, moving experiences to ride. Although, cause you almost die too, when you ride with Ken Freshcorn In a vehicle with Ken Freshcorn, because you take your life in your hands when you enter, But also, you're going to probably encounter somebody that he either knows or doesn't know but will be his friend by the end that.

Freshcorn:

And that's one of the things God has given me is, You know I say I'm shy and bashful and I always say, Oh, that, older lady needed help a cart or and I think older later I said, Man, I'm 75, I don't know how much older she was than me, I don't think she was. But, I'm working on my grandson. I embarrass him. Because a lady didn't have a cart, there wasn't no carts at Walmart. And I went out and got her one. He said, Grandpa, you don't even know her Why? And I told him, grandson. Which, my dad had told me, I told my son, now I'm telling my grandson, always help, no matter what.

Katie:

And you do that. I will, get a phone call from someone. They need somebody needs help with something. Or, most recently, we were working with someone from Venezuela. and the weather's getting cold. and so, Your question immediately is, well, what size jacket do you think that they need. And, it didn't stop at a jacket. It went to hat and gloves and it went to a sweatshirt and sweatpants. It was amazing. And all because just saw a need and filled it And that's how you live your life. You see a need and you fill it. Now can you tell everybody what you pray every morning when you wake up.

Freshcorn:

I'm gonna get sad here in a minute. Every morning my wife and I wake up. and, maybe this is not the right time But before we get out of bed, I have the Bible that's on my phone, and and we read it every morning. I pray the Lord put somebody in my way each day, or that day, I say put somebody in my way today that needs my help. And, he lifts me up right then. I mean, he's already, I'm thinking, now, well, he is gonna do it. Who's it gonna be today? Who's gonna, where am I, gonna do with today? But it doesn't matter if somebody going to Meijers and they're walking I'll give them a ride or take them to breakfast or whatever.

Katie:

you just have this innate ability to find somebody who needs something and you just fill it. Whatever it is, It can be the smallest actor, It can be the biggest act. You've done it all.

Freshcorn:

I say that it makes me feel good. Hopefully it's making them feel good and better, But it does something, I don't know how to explain that does something in my chest it doesn't really sadden me, evidently makes me happy because my chest just pumps up and it's not that I'm bragging. I don't need to brag about it cause he's already seen it, he's the one that sent me. also have to, I, know she's hinting on me here and that, but, Miss Katie will, ask me, Hey, there's a lady in Blissfield that needs her screen door fixed or something, and I can do a lot of things. I don't know, but let's go there. We ended up going over twice. Katie is, if not more, she's definitely as good if not more but she's always helping people and when she can't get something done, she will come to me, and that's another person if you need. She's the one that needed help that day and I'll help her. We've moved, I don't know how many people now, upstairs, downstairs, whatever, but it's always fun. It makes me happy to laugh, I know this is just another little something. There's a couple of kids in our church that altar boy and altar girl that every Sunday they walk by and they smile at me again, I sit right straight up in my seat and it it just makes me feel so good that they recognize an old man, which is, you should say hi to old people. but them kids, they're I call them, they're part of me now because I see them and they do, you know.

Katie:

I don't know how many people don't know you. And if they don't know you, they soon will because you are a friend to everybody you meet.

Freshcorn:

My wife won't go to the grocery store with me because she says I talk to somebody in every aisle. But, When you're 75, you get to know people.

Katie:

So you've talked about your wife a few times. So you want to tell us about her?

Freshcorn:

I've actually been married three times. I was running a daily bread. And this lady walked in and she was volunteering, and I had cooked a meal and this and that, and, I looked at her and, I said, Wow, what's your name? And, that was twelve years ago. I've been with her every day since that day. She is a believer and I can ask her questions of the Bible and she'll answer them. She knows them. I'll not try to trick her, but I'll ask her something. I'll say, No, you ain't gonna get this one out of Acts or Kings or whatever. She'll know it. We talked that day we talked about Jesus then go for a walk, tomorrow or something and we did, and we've walked I think five miles about every day since. and we talked about Jesus when we're walking. and, who we can bless with something or other. Whatever it could be. I had a little operation and, I was in and out for a couple of days and it was during COVID and they wouldn't let her stay. They let her stay during the day, but they wouldn't let her stay at night. And she had a Jeep Cherokee and this was up north at our place up north. She slept in her car Jeep Cherokee so she could be right there and, uh, but when I'd wake up, anytime I'd wake up during the day, I'd I'd look over and she was at the right hand, I don't know how I'll ever repay her for that because hospitals scare me to death And, she's there and she reminds me who's taking care of me and why he's taking care of me and how much he loves me. She's an awesome lady.

Katie:

She is a very awesome lady. And, I, think you two make each other better. I think that you probably annoy her enough for four people and she helps make you a better person by by helping you grow a little bit.

Freshcorn:

Absolutely. I tease her a lot and I get her to do this and that and she says, Ken, I don't believe you. I said, Liz, was my lips moving? If my lips were moving, you know I wasn't telling the truth.

Katie:

Yeah, you know. she also pays me to like make up jobs, so that way you'll come over to the church and help, and then she can have a free day.

Freshcorn:

Get him outta here.

Katie:

Well, I mean, now that she's retired, she has to put up with you all the time and it's not working out so well. Ken if you could your younger self a piece of advice, what would it be? swear right now that

Freshcorn:

I would give anything if I would have got to meet Jesus before I was in my 50's I mean, he was there, I didn't pay attention. I'm just so happy. 90 percent of the time. People pull in front of me, shame on 'em. So, it wasn't going to be long. And now, where, are you going? Why you got to be.. Let it go, whatever. A lot of that has to do with my wife. She reminds me, Kenneth, seriously? I would ask myself, why, didn't you pay attention? And I can give you excuses. I have a choice. But nobody was telling me. My parents owned a tavern. They were working a lot and again, that's not excuses. I could have went somewhere else. I could have went to church with my sisters. Anything. I was a spoiled brat. And it was all about me, if it wasn't about me, I wasn't doing it. That's when I wish I would have met him a lot sooner than I did. I've been happy for the last 25, 30 years. I just think, man, I could have been happy for 50, 60 years.

Katie:

I'm not sure we could have handled that kind of Ken Freshcorn.

Freshcorn:

I just think about all the people I missed out on helping or I used to help the elderly ladies on our street mow their grass, but I always got something for it. Now it's, how much do I owe you? I don't need nothing. Man, I'm rich. They say what do you mean you're rich? I have Jesus. I had a talk with him, the other day, And I asked him why did you give me so much? I said, I can't hand it all, I can't do all the work. My wife says, be careful what you ask for. And, he is an awesome God. I'm sitting across from Katie now, looking in her eyes and I know she thinks I'm a nut, but I know that she loves me, and I know, she tells me, and she takes care of me, and I know if I needed something, she would take care of me.

Katie:

It has just been a privilege to work with you to be your friend, to watch you grow. A lot of times, I'm privileged to be on the opposite end of the phone call when you will call. And now, because I messed with my phone a little bit, you say, don't you know who I am? You need to answer when I call you, but I always know that when you call me, I'm going to leave better than when I answered that phone. And, it might be you're actually questioning something about faith, which, is a privilege to walk with you in that way, or I'm going to get a job or, you're just going to tell me some really nice compliment that I'm probably not going to believe, but I know that no matter when you call me, I'm going to leave better in the conversation than when I started talking to you. And nowadays that's such a gift. And I'm so grateful for that.

Freshcorn:

I thank you so much. I can go into some things where you've helped me through. Seriously, deep sorrow for friend that was passing and called Katie and she said, Are you driving? I said yeah, and she said, well, pull over. And I pulled over and she prayed and my friend passed that day but she got me through that. I was good standing there waiting, with his family and, I think we're growing and learning from each other. I enjoy you very much.

Katie:

And I am blessed to have you in my life. So I really want to thank you for coming on today.

Freshcorn:

It was a hoot. It was. We tease each other every time we see each other just about, we tease each other or a crack on somebody or something. By the time I leave, we both have said, hey, what about this? Or what about that guy? Or, what can we do something for this person? Both of us will. Whatever.

Katie:

Yeah, we definitely compare notes on what we see or what we think needs to be fixed or helped or, yeah. And it's a big community in Adrian and there's a lot to do. And just those little gestures that we do help people, right?

Freshcorn:

Seriously folks, it's scarier now than it used to be years ago. There's a lady that walks to Meijer's every day, I see her cause I go to Lowe's every day for something or other, I don't know what it is, and I've asked her if she'd carry a bag, I'm not sure, I think she works out there or something, I've asked her, rainin' if she wants a ride and she does not trust me or doesn't, whatever, she won't. Other people said, my wife's asked her, and she won't take a ride from from her either. But it doesn't hurt to ask because it's some people just have been put down so much that they're afraid to ask or some people use the system, so what? They're still going to learn from the example. I usually when I help the homeless guys that I do with and that, and I pay them or whatever, I tell them, hey. Don't you forget, when you go do this or you go do that or whatever, say hi to an old person. Just say hi. How you doing today or something like that. Because people don't say hi if you can lift somebody up, it does me. There was a guy that wanted to help me load my, or lift stuff out of my basket And put it in my car and no, I got it. No, I got it And for a minute I thought, what's he think I'm an invalid or what? Then when I thought about it. That was him. He was doing the same thing. Man, thanks. I appreciate that, buddy.

Katie:

Well, it's been a pleasure to sit here with you today. You've shared a lot with us. A lot of how we can just help people. A lot of how we can be a difference in this world just by little things. So, thank you so much for joining us today.

Freshcorn:

I would like to say thank you to Maria. She's a picture taker, keeping us online here, whatever. She's an awesome lady. She's got awesome kids, husband, everything. They're all working in the church.

Katie:

She has been one of the greatest additions to this parish, I think.

Freshcorn:

Absolutely. Absolutely. And I'm grateful to know her also.

Katie:

Yes, the three of us make quite a team. I'm not sure the world is ready for that, but

Freshcorn:

They love us.

Katie:

Yeah, so we hope that wherever you find an open seat in your life, you will invite someone to join You And I think that's really how you live your life, Ken.

Freshcorn:

I'm glad that I do now. It took me a long time, but I'm here. I'm ready. You need you, call Uncle Ken. I'll take care of it. Now you have to be careful, because I've only done this once, and I don't want to spill that on the table, so it might need some napkins. Are you ready? Yeah. Up Side Down My six year old grand daughter taught me that.

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