They say that when life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade. We all know, however, that it’s easier said than done. Yet, nothing is truly impossible if we put our minds to it and dedicate enough effort to achieving our goals.
This couldn’t be more true for Cara Brookins, a woman who found herself trapped in a violent marriage. Faced with the reality of her situation, she made a brave decision to leave her husband, taking her five children with her. Cara knew she had to provide a safe and healthy environment for her kids, far away from the toxic circumstances they had been living in. But starting over was not going to be easy.
How did she manage it? By doing something that most of us would find unimaginable. She built her own house—literally. Cara designed her own construction plans and used YouTube tutorials to teach herself how to install plumbing, run a gas line, pour a foundation, and put up walls. It sounds incredible, doesn’t it?
Looking back now, Cara admits that the entire journey felt impossible at times. Yet, she persevered.
At the time, Cara was working as a computer programmer analyst. In 2007, she came up with the idea to build her family’s new home from scratch because she simply couldn’t afford to buy a house large enough to accommodate all of her children. Buying a house that met their needs was financially out of reach, so she decided to take matters into her own hands—literally.
When asked about the experience, Cara said, “If anyone were in our situation, they would do this. I know it sounds crazy now, but no one else saw it the way we did.” What seemed like an outlandish idea to others became her reality, and she made it happen against all odds.
She took out a loan for about $150,000 to fund the construction and purchased an acre of land for $20,000. This wasn’t a simple project, and Cara didn’t do it alone. Her children played a huge role in building their new home, despite their young ages. The oldest child was just seventeen, and the youngest was only two.
Her 11-year-old daughter Jada was responsible for carrying water from a neighbor’s pond in buckets because the property didn’t have running water. Her son Drew, also quite young at the time, helped Cara create the house’s blueprints. Together, they mixed concrete—each bag weighing 80 pounds—to lay the foundation of what would become their 3,500-square-foot home.
Every day after school, her children would come to the building site to assist with the construction. The family’s resilience and determination were remarkable. In order to handle the more complicated tasks, Cara hired a part-time firefighter with construction experience, paying him $25 per hour. She remembers him as someone who was “a step ahead of us in terms of knowledge,” guiding them through the process.
After two years of relentless hard work, on March 31, 2009, Cara and her family finally moved into their new home, which they named Inkwell Manor. The name holds special significance for Cara, reflecting her dream of becoming a writer.
Reflecting on the experience, Cara said, “We felt ashamed that the only option available to us was to build our own shelter. We weren’t particularly proud of it at the time, but it turned out to be the best thing I could have done for myself and my children.” What had initially seemed like a desperate measure became a testament to her strength and resilience.
Cara’s story is not just about building a house—it’s about overcoming adversity and proving that anything is possible. “If I, a 110-pound computer programmer, can build an entire house, then you can achieve anything,” she said with pride.
Her message to others is clear: “Pick one goal and stick with it. Choose a big project you’ve always wanted to accomplish, start small, and bring others along with you who also need to recover. There is tremendous power in that.”
Isn’t this one of the most inspiring stories you’ve heard in a while?
If Cara Brookins’ incredible determination and her family’s hard work inspire you as much as they’ve inspired countless others, please share this amazing story with your friends and loved ones on Facebook!
In a world where many people might give up when faced with difficult circumstances, Cara’s story is a powerful reminder that with enough determination, courage, and creativity, even the most daunting challenges can be overcome. Whether it’s building a house or pursuing another seemingly impossible dream, Cara’s journey shows us that success is possible for anyone willing to work hard and persevere.
