Life is precious. Life can change in an instant and it did for this family
two years ago. The story of the Giunta family this week hit me so hard
while we were there just outside of Boston, Massachusetts, and now it hits
me again as I reflect on this family. It is a story of hope, of faith, of
loyalty and a story of life - changing in an instant.
Last week, in my hometown of Los Angeles, CA, I was involved in a serious
car accident. A drunk driver hit my friend's car in which I was a
passenger. I was trapped in the car and had to be removed with some pretty
heavy machinery. My friend was ok, and I, thankfully, was not harmed too
badly. I had to spend some time in the hospital. I have two fractured ribs,
a broken wrist, and bruises everywhere. I was extremely lucky. Not
everyone who gets in a car accident this bad is able to walk away and Paul
Giunta is a perfect example of this. Two years ago, on the day that Paul's
wife, Renee, gave birth to their first daughter, Paul was driving their two
boys home and was involved in a terrible car accident. Although the boys
were fine, Paul sustained such horrible injuries that doctors told Renee he
wouldn't make it through the night. Well, Paul did make it through the
night, and was told that he would never walk or talk again. Paul is defying
all odds, and is talking. Walking will come soon, as his determination is
strong, and the support of his wife is even stronger. This family has never
given up hope. They have faith that Paul will walk and talk again, and the
loyalty of husband and wife is so incredible that it affects everyone around
them.
After this episode, I realized that life can change in one second. For this
family, the happiest day of their lives was also the scariest. Paul was a
tri-athlete. He was full of life and always on the go. And in one moment,
everything changed. Everything. But in spite of everything that happened,
they continue to go on and defy all odds. This family is so inspiring.
Whenever you think that you can't go on, or something in life is just too
much to take, think of this family and everything that they have to overcome
on a daily basis just to go on.
There is a moment during this experience that I was crying so hard that I
was literally sobbing. I won't tell you what happened for that you will have
to watch, but it shows the loyalty of a wife, and the determination of a
husband and father, and the strength it takes to overcome obstacles.
This week, our Builders had enormous hearts. Jeanson Homes and Fenton
Contracting, who have been in business together for 30 years, teamed up to
make the impossible happen... A father of six himself, Mike Jeanson felt it
was an honor to help this family. That's what I love about our Builders,
that kind of dedication, we couldn't do it with out them.
On a lighter note, I did get to do a couple of really fun, amazing things
while in Boston. First of all, I got to sneak away one night to see a
concert. Gavin DeGraw was playing in downtown Boston, who I now think is
one of the most under-rated performers of our time. He and his band were
AMAZING, and it was a great break to a difficult week. And during the show,
I got to head down to the Boston Aquarium for a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity. I was doing Cameron's room a young boy who loves penguins.
I got a chance to hop in the water surrounded by penguins and swim with
these amazing little creatures. There is even a BIG penguin that joins us!
I will keep it a secret to who the special penguin guest is, but just know
that he was "penguinus fabulous." It was so much fun, and even more fun to
put together a room you might find in winter wonderland. I had the help of
a local artist, Hans Decastellane, who put together such an incredible mural
that actually made you believe you were looking out over a real icy
territory! The room is cute, but beautifully artistic at the same time.
And speaking of "icy territory," it snowed the entire time in Massachusetts
¬just another obstacle for us to get over.
But no matter how hard the week was, or how hard it was to build a house
during a snowstorm, it all melted away in our minds when the family came
home. This was a true homecoming in every sense of the word for this
family. Since the accident, Paul Guinta was not able to come home. Now,
for the first time in two years, he will be able to walk through his front
door and actually stay together as a family with his wife and kids.
So, what I learned the week I was here, and this last week in Los Angeles, is
that everything can change in an instant. Everything. Enjoy every moment
and live life to the fullest. You never know when it will change.
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