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© ALS Independence 2003-11
January 27, 2012
BySteve Hartman
(CBS News)
In a small town east of Portland, Oregon, there is a man who has spent his
entire life helping his neighbors. Now in his time of need, they are giving
back. CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman found this story on the road in
Corbett, Oregon.
On a high ridge above the Columbia River, just down from heaven, you'll find an
angel on a front end loader.
Woody Davis is kind of a jack-of-all-trades. And although he's never made much
money at it, by all accounts, he has earned his wings.
Here are some of what the people in town have said of him:
"He's the epitome of something dear."
"You have to chase him down to pay him sometimes."
"He's uncommon, he's special, he's a gift that this community has had all these
years."
Which is why folks here in Corbett, Oregon are now going out of their way to
thank Woody for the thousands of good deeds he's done for them over the last 50
years.
Recently, they all got together to cut and stack his firewood for winter. A
couple guys fixed-up his old pick-up. Someone even built him a beautiful wood
box and invited the whole town to sign it.
"Did you know how much the community cared for him?" Steve asked Woody's son
Clint.
"Not to the degree I do now," he said.
Clint said all the work his dad did for people has been repaid ten-fold. "Bill
Gates could not come to Corbett and buy this. You can't buy the love that people
have poured out for dad."
Their words and deeds are sincere and lasting. Unfortunately, the box is pine --
and the outlook isn't good.
A few months ago, Woody was diagnosed with ALS -- Lou Gehrig's disease. Doctors
tell him he has about six months. The disease, which attacks the nervous system,
is already making it hard for him to lift or even talk. But his attitude remains
unaffected.
"What do you think of what everybody's been doing for you?" Steve asked Woody.
"I can't believe it," he said.
"You can't believe it?"
"I feel blessed that I'm dying slowly."
Steve really didn't think he heard him right. "Wait, did you just say you feel
blessed that you're dying slowly?"
Because people have a chance to express to me how they feel, he said.
In most communities, death is whispered and praise is saved for the eulogy. But
Woody Davis and the people of Corbett, Oregon show us why that may be too late.
Turns out even angels like to know they've made a difference.
"Don't live like there's no tomorrow, live like you're leaving today!" Antonio Talbert
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© ALS Independence 2003-11