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 Well, this is a must share day. This is a little longer than usual, but I truly hope you read it with an open heart...
So, I was at the Habitat for Humanity build in Oshawa Ontario today, with 10 other friends, clients and colleagues. We started the day at 8am. The man who trains us is named Frank and he’s about 65 years old. He is gets paid sometimes, but it is very little and because it is a charity, most of the time he is not paid for his services.
I was helping to get rid of some waste from the build site, and Frank happened to be standing there. Normally, I’m a ‘get it done” kind of person, but I knew that when Frank started talking, I should just stay and listen. So I did. Here’s the story…
Frank asked me what I did for a living, and why all these people had come out. Did they work for me? I gave him an idea of why I am on the planet and he proceeded to tell me his incredible story...
About 10 years ago, this “Site Supervisor” was a father of a 24 year old, he had a wife (very smart), and was a tool and dye maker. He had a house and a cottage both paid off. His wonderful son worked/volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. Frank always kept his promises to his son and promised his son he would help with H for H one day.
Everything changed when one day Frank got the call that his son who was fishing in northern Ontario, had drowned by a water damn that opened (7 others had died that way in years passed). It was a flaw in the federal water damn system...to say the least. Franks wife truly lost herself, became blaming, distraught, and abusive toward him. Frank, after 4 years won a lawsuit with the Federal Dept. in charge of the water damn, but at this point it was too late.
One day Frank came home, and his wife shot him (yes, to kill him) and took all of his money and left. He almost died. All he was left with was a small cottage in Northern Ontario (very small), 1 mile in from the main road. When he was younger, the remoteness was wonderful in the summer, but in the winter (because he lives there now), navigating the unplowed 1 mile stretch of road with the leg that was damaged in the shooting, it is quickly aging him. But this is his life now.
You may think that this story is depressing, but it is not. His son saved his life. He could have died from the gunshot or heartbreak, but Frank decided instead to fulfill on his promise to his son to work with Habitat for Humanity. He decided to start to supervise the build sites, and he told me in his heartfelt conversation with me, that the volunteers at HforH are what keep him going, and has become his reason for living. He lost his old family, and gained a very special new one…..so meaningful to him. Isn’t it amazing that the promise to his son, is why his life is so rich now!
The irony? His pay is sporadic with Habitat, as sometimes they can afford it, and sometimes not. He actually does not make enough to plow his road OORRRR to actually qualify for a Habitat Home because he is too far below the poverty line to afford the mortgage payments. But he is fine with that. He really has an amazing perspective!
Well, his story moved me so much he really is an inspiration. He gets by fine, he finds such meaning in his work and he is always smiling. He asks for little, but is paid in miraculous and generous ways by friends and family around him. So his life is a miracle.
So I created a small project. I wish to find a way to have the road to Frank’s home plowed this winter. I don’t care if an “anonymous benefactor” offers, or if my friends, clients and family can pool together to pay for it this winter. I want this generous and loving soul around for a long long time to come he gives people the opportunity to see that they can make a difference with such grace and I know from how he spoke, that the trip into his house in the winter is aging him before his time. We want Frank to do what he does for decades more.
I know that was long, but I just wanted to share a story of an extra-ordinary man who moved my heart, who has such a twinkle in his eye.
I’ll keep you posted on the success of finding the Plow money, or volunteer plowman for Frank. I can already feel someone I know will do it. It’s good to be alive and to know people who decide to live instead of survive.
It’s a good day today.
Xo
Jennifer
Would you like to help?
Donate money to Frank by clicking on the button below.
Any contribution would make a world of difference.
Thank You!
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