'A House in a Day' Ambition... a true inspirational story

by Walt Waggon
(USA)

I have a friend I will call Joe. I grew up in the same little town, and went to school with him. He has a severely handicapped older brother I will call Frank. As these two brothers grew up, Joe married, had a family, and moved into an old house. Frank lived with his mother until her health failed. Then Joe took his severely handicapped brother into his own home to care for him. Frank required much care, especially as he began to get older.

This old house that Joe lived in was not constructed very well. It was cold in the winter, and hot in the summer. The electrical and plumbing systems were not working properly. The house had lots of problems! The yard around the house was not landscaped.

To say that Joe was poor, is probably true, not that he had poor ways, but there was just too much "month" between paychecks. An old "Town Father" I will call Sam, had been watching Joe. He recognized Joe's "big heart", yet humble circumstances.

Sam was a man of means. He arranged for property and materials to build a house for Joe, his family, and his handicapped brother. He organized the local townspeople for the purpose of building Joe a "House In A Day". Could it be done? It would take a great deal of cooperation and scheduling!

The townspeople rallied to Sam's invitation. This house was to be a 2 story structure with over 1200 square feet on each floor. The footings and the foundation had been previously prepared. Materials were purchased and on site. Crews were organized. Schedules were set.

At 2:00 a.m. the first crews arrived. The town building inspectors were on site to approve each phase of construction. I was participating in the drywall phase. How amazing it was to see literally hundreds of people working on this house at the same time. Inside and outside. Men applying stucco to the outside at the same time that others were laying up a chimney, while others were putting on the roof, while others were installing the fascia and soffits, while still others were pouring the porches, etc., etc., etc. That is probably not enough etceteras!

I will not say that it was efficient, only that it was very effective! Envision, if you can, how easy it would be for one construction trade to be totally in the way of another trade. . . and they were! But everyone had on a smile. I heard not a cross word or complaint. The word that comes to my mind is "sacrifice".

Twenty-six hours later, not quite a "House In A Day", the last crews went to their own homes, and I am sure to their beds for some much needed rest. Most were chilled with the night air, but their hearts were warm.

A few days later the yard was all landscaped, and a chain link fence installed around the property. A special room was made to accommodate Frank's special needs. Joe and his family, along with Frank, moved into a beautiful new home!

This is a true story, but the name of the town has been left out, and the names of the individuals have been changed to protect those involved from embarrassment.

Can you imagine the love that Joe feels radiating from all these good people each and every time he meets one of them? It sounds like a story out of a story book. But it isn't. I was there, and I continue to experience that good feeling whenever I meet Joe.