Being in a violent relationship is a difficult situation to leave behind. However, there are extraordinary individuals who show incredible fortitude and resilience in the face of adversity. One such example is Cara Brookins, a mother of four who, despite limited resources, embarked on an incredible journey that would change the course of her family’s lives forever.
After her second abusive marriage ended, Cara was emotionally drained. In an effort to rebuild her life, she decided to build her own home, using tutorials she found on YouTube. Although she had to sell her previous property, she was determined to find a new place for her children to call home. While everything she could afford seemed too small, she was determined to find a solution. Little did she know, it would come in the form of building her own house from scratch.
“It felt like the natural thing to do,” Cara reflects. “If anyone else were in our situation, they would do the same.” Looking back, she admits it may sound insane, but at the time, it was the only option that made sense to her. With $20,000 for a one-acre plot and a construction loan of approximately $150,000, Cara set out on a mission to learn construction skills and build her family’s new home.
Through countless hours of watching YouTube tutorials, Cara learned the basics of construction, including laying a foundation, building walls, and installing plumbing. Her children, ranging from two to seventeen years old, also played a crucial role in the nine-month construction process. Her fifteen-year-old son, Drew, helped with planning, while eleven-year-old Jada used buckets to transport water from a neighbor’s pond for mixing concrete.
Despite the challenges and the moments of doubt, Cara and her children persevered. They worked late into the night after school, figuring out the blurry YouTube videos and adapting to different techniques. They even had a part-time firefighter with building experience to guide them along the way. Finally, on March 31, 2009, Cara and her children moved into their new five-bedroom house, proudly named Inkwell Manor to commemorate Cara’s dream of becoming a writer.
Since then, Cara has not only published several novels but also shared her inspiring story in a memoir titled “Rise: How a House Built a Family,” which is set to be released on January 24. Reflecting on their journey, Cara acknowledges that building their own home wasn’t something they were proud of at the time, but it turned out to be the best thing she could have done for herself.
From her experience, Cara learned an important lesson – if a 110-pound computer programmer like herself can build an entire house, then anyone can achieve anything they set their mind to. She encourages others to identify a goal and take small steps towards it, while also bringing others along who need healing on the journey. There is immense power in unity and determination.
Watching Cara and her children share their incredible story of courage and hope is truly inspiring. Even in the midst of the most catastrophic circumstances, there is always a glimmer of hope for a brighter future. Cara’s journey serves as a testament to the resilience of survivors and reminds us that a better tomorrow is always within reach.
