They say that if life hands you lemons, make lemonade. We all know that this is easier said than done, yet nothing is truly impossible if we set our minds to something and put in a lot of effort to achieve it.
Cara Brookins ended up in a vioIent marriage. She left her husband, took her kids with her, and started over in a new house since she was a mother of five and understood she had to protect her kids from the toxic environment they were made to live in. How was it accomplished by her? by creating her own construction blueprints and viewing YouTube videos that demonstrated various building skiIIs, such as installing plumbing, running a gas line, laying a foundation, and erecting walls. It sounds amazing, doesn’t it?
Now that she’s thinking about it, she acknowledges that it has been impossible the entire time.
Cara, a computer programmer analyst, came up with the idea to build her family’s new home from the ground up because she couldn’t afford to buy a house big enough for all of her children at the time she started building it in 2007.
Cara described the feeling as being that “if anyone were in our situation, they would do this.” “I know it sounds crazy now, but no one else saw it likе this.”
She borrowed about $150,000 for construction and paid $20,000 for an acre of land.
Her children helped build their 3,500-square-foot home; the eldest was only two years old at the time and the youngest was seventeen.
Since there was no running water on the property, her 11-year-old daughter Jada had to use buckets to carry water from the neighbor’s pond. Her son Drew assisted her in creating the plans. After that, she combined it with concrete bags weighing eighty pounds to create the foundation mortar.
The children would visit the site and assist every day after school. This tenacious mother paid $25 per hour to a part-time firefighter with building experience to complete the most difficult tasks. He was “a step ahead of us in terms of knowledge,” she recalled.
The family finally moved into Inkwell Manor on March 31, 2009, which was named in honor of Cara’s aspiration to become a writer.
“We felt ashamed that the only option available to us was to construct our own shelter,” Cara remarked. “We weren’t particularly proud of it, but it ended up being the best thing I could have done for myself.”
“Anything is possible for you if I, a 110-pound computer programmer, can build a whole house,” she exclaimed.
She continued, stating, “Select one goal and stick to it. Choose a big project you’ve always wanted to do, start small, and take the others who also need to recover with you. That has a great deal of power.
This isn’t it one of the most amazing tales you’ve heard recently?
If this family’s tenacity inspires you as much as it does, please SHARE their amazing tale on Facebook with your loved ones!
Heartbroken Gary Sinise mourning sudden death of son, 33
Forrest Gump star Gary Sinise shared the heartbreaking news of his son’s passing on the Gary Sinise Foundation‘s website and his Instagram page, revealing that the 33-year-old McCanna Anthony “Mac” Sinise lost his battle to cancer.
Mac was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer known as Chordoma on August 8, 2018, just three months after his mother was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer.
However, as his mother Moira’s treatment was successful, Mac’s condition only worsened over time, gradually robbing him of his mobility.
Gary expressed his immense grief for the loss of his loving son.
“Like any family experiencing such a loss, we are heartbroken and have been managing as best we can. As parents, it is so difficult losing a child. My heart goes out to all who have suffered a similar loss, and to anyone who has lost a loved one. We’ve all experienced it in some way. Over the years I have met so many families of our fallen heroes. It’s heartbreaking, and it’s just damn hard,” the heartbroken actor wrote.
“Our family’s cancer fight lasted for 5 ½ years, and it became more and more challenging as time went on. While our hearts ache at missing him, we are comforted in knowing that Mac is no longer struggling, and inspired and moved by how he managed it. He fought an uphill battle against a cancer that has no cure, but he never quit trying.”
A number of celebrities posted messages of support for Gary and his family on Instagram.
“We are so sorry Gary. You & your family are deeply loved by so many,” wrote Angie Harmon. “We are all praying for you. Love you so very much.”
Alyssa Milano, meanwhile, posted: “I’m so sorry, Gary. I’m praying for your family. And sending you love and strength.”
Mac’s life was a fulfilling one. He joined the Gary Sinise Foundation as an assistant manager of education and outreach and pursued his passion for music until the very end. He performed alongside his father in the Lt. Dan Band as a drummer.
Since his diagnosis, Mac had undergone five spine surgeries and was left paralyzed from his waist down, but he never stopped doing what he loved; making music. Just before his passing, he had completed work on an album Resurrection & Revival.
Mac studied songwriting and composition at the University of Southern California from where he graduated.
Gary said that the family is ensuring Mac’s album, Mac Sinise: Resurrection and Revival, is released and pressed on vinyl.
Mac was laid to rest on January 5.
We are so sorry for Gary Sinise loss. Our thoughts and prayers go to him and his family during this time of grief.
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