What actions would you take if you found yourself trapped in a situation you couldn’t escape — with no options available and no one to assist you?
For Brookins, the answer was both daring and extraordinary. Faced with an abusive marriage and the desperate need to protect her five children, she made a choice that most would never even consider:
not only did she flee to safety, but she also built an entirely new home for her family — all by herself, without prior experience.
How did a computer programmer evolve into a self-taught builder, transforming a nightmare into a tale of hope and resilience? The trip that ensued is nothing short of remarkable.Â
They say, ‘when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.’ while it may be easier said than done, the truth is that with determination and hard work, nothing is truly impossible.Â
Cara Brookins was trapped in an abusive marriage. As a mother of five, she recognized the need to save her children from the harmful environment they were residing in. Consequently, she made the decision to separate from her husband, accompanied by her children, and accomplished something extraordinary—she constructed a brand-new residence from scratch.
What?: By creating the construction plans herself and acquiring crucial building skills through online tutorials on youtube, she learned how to lay foundations, construct walls, install plumbing and gas lines. Sounds unbelievable, right?.Â
Looking back now, she admits the whole journey seemed impossible at times.
When she started building her family’s new home in 2007, cara, who worked as a computer programmer analyst, couldn’t afford to buy a suitable house for her large family. That’s when she had the idea to construct one on her own.Â
‘it felt like, ‘if anyone were in our situation, they would do this,” cara recalledÂ
She purchased an acre of land for \$20,000 and obtained a construction loan for approximately \$150,000.Â
Her children, spanning from 2 to 17 years old, actively participated in constructing their 3,500-square-foot residence.
Her son drew assisted with drafting the plans, while 11-year-old jada hauled water from a neighbor’s pond in buckets—since there was no running water on-site—and mixed it with heavy bags of concrete to create the foundation mortar.Â
After school, the children would go to the construction site to help out. For the more complex tasks, cara hired a part-time firefighter with construction experience at \$25 an hour. ‘he was a step ahead of us in knowledge,’ she said.Â
Finally, on march 31, 2009, the family moved into their new home, which they named inkwell manor, inspired by cara’s dream of becoming a writer.Â
‘we were embarrassed that building our own home was our only option,’ cara said
‘If a 110-pound computer programmer can construct an entire house,’ she added, ‘then you can accomplish anything you aspire to.’.Â
She continued, ‘choose one specific objective and remain dedicated to it.’ Discover your ultimate aspiration, make gradual progress, and involve others who require support in their own healing journeys. “There is immense power in that.”Â
Have you come across any particularly inspiring stories lately?Â
If you’re as inspired by this family’s bravery and perseverance as we are, kindly pass on their incredible journey to your loved ones on Facebook!.Â
Conclusion:Â
Brookins’ story serves as a powerful reminder that even in the most challenging of circumstances, resilience and determination can illuminate the path ahead. By rejecting her situation and deciding to construct a secure, nurturing dwelling for her children using her own efforts, she demonstrated to us all that determination and perseverance can conquer even the most daunting challenges. Her journey demonstrates that regardless of the challenges we face, with determination, belief, and the encouragement of our loved ones, we can shape a brighter tomorrow. Cara’s inspiring example should motivate you to persevere, regardless of the obstacles that life presents.