I have met many people in my life, especially during my tenure here at the Spotlight. Many have touched my life in different ways and many have gained a permanent place in my heart.
Recently I had the great pleasure of meeting a gentleman in town whom I had not met before.
His name is Mat Deutschmann. Mat is a 73 year old retired carpenter. For the past two years he has endured immense trauma to his body and brain following a fall off a roof that almost lead to his death. Doctors had told his wife Margarete, he would not survive. A year after the accident he suffered heart failure.
I visited the Deutschmann home. Margarete (whom I had met before) explained Mats condition to me and showed me work he had done before the accident and then some of the work he has created over the last four months.
It was amazing! I could see that Mat had always had a talent with wood, but the difference in the art style and detail was just incredible.
From beautiful wooden boxes and carvings to life sized detailed replicas.... created from just looking at a photo!
Margarete then took me to the workshop to meet Mat.
He welcomed me with the biggest, warmest smile. When I asked if he would tell me about his work, he was thrilled to do so. Although he has some trouble with his speech and hearing, we had quite the conversations. During the hours I spent with Mat and Margarete that day, I received one of the greatest gifts ever.
Not once did Mat complain or utter a negative word about what he had been through. In fact it was the exact opposite. This gentleman is so happy and content—it just amazed me!
He is grateful, purely and simply for what he has, what he can accomplish and especially for his wife Margarete for taking such good care of him.
This incredible couple proved something to me that I had heard many times, but didn’t really realize to be true.
“That no matter how bad or dark things seem...There is always hope.” You’ve just got to have faith.