Do You Believe In Miracles?

If you could meet my dad, you would. 10 years ago my dad was given a miracle. A second chance at life, doing what he loves most. Staying a little longer here on earth with his sweetheart, my mom.

Family has always been his passion but inside he has a quality that can't help but burst through his body. The ability to create.

Some of the best doctors in the nation stood over his limp body and for 18 long hours, the team of 16 doctors extracted a benign brain tumor, the size of a lemon, that was pushing on his lower right side of his brain and brain stem. That team of doctors saved his life.

His journey was just beginning. We were just starting to see how strong this man really was. He had many trials and hardships to overcome. First, the physical trials. He lost his hearing in his right ear, his facial nerve was destroyed resulting in paralysis on the right side of his face. A paralyzed vocal cord nerve made it impossible to talk and swallow. He had a feeding tube for 3 months to ensure he would be getting nutrients that would make it possible for his body to heal. The tumor was pressing so hard on his brain stem that he could not walk. He was completely numb on his entire left side of his body making it impossible for him to get back to his occupation, woodworking.

Then the unthinkable happened. He was able to reach inside himself and with the help of Heavenly Father, he was able to overcome many obstacles. Little by little, with many surgeries and help from speech and physical therapists, family and friends, he was able to retrain his body. He learned how to talk and swallow again. There he was again at mealtimes joining us at the dinner table for mom's home cooked meals and his occasional favorite, apple pie.

He was able to compensate for his loses. His left side, (he is left handed) had learned to feel through pressures, ways to hold a hammer and a drill. His balance improved. His strength increased. Long minutes turned into long days and long days turned into long weeks. His body healed. He grew physically, mentally, and spiritually. He did not only survive, he thrived.

As soon as he was able, he started to build again. Wainscoting, decks, kitchens, mouldings, base boards, bookcases, fireplace mantles, etc...

His brother Doug, then gave him the opportunity to challenge himself and push his limits. He was given a dream and it was up to him to see if he could make it come true. The chance to create something beyond the imaginable. He did the impossible before, could he do it again?

Still numb on the entire left side of his body, he headed down to Arizona, 12 hours away from his beloved sweetheart, 5 winters, thousands of hours later, and in a humble carport he transformed into a make shift shop, he built his brother a library. A library that words cannot describe.

The celling alone has over 2500 pieces of wood. It's hard enough to be on scaffolding and work hours and hours on a ceiling. Now imagine you have no balance and are numb on one side of your body.

Here is his blog.

This is his "shop".