Her son's last wish gave her hope and new purpose in life

Ben Algar had just started carpentry school when he was diagnosed with cancer and had to leave for treatment. He prayed to return to class but told his instructor, "If I am not able, my mom will go in my place." When he lost his battle, she fulfilled his last request

- Bill Holton

Ben Algar grew excited as he sifted through the portfolio of house plans his mom, Danita, had been collecting. She and Ben’s dad, Tony, had purchased property in Nova Scotia, Canada, so that after retirement, they could build their dream home.

“I’m going to build it for you, and a little cabin for myself,” Ben told her.

Since he was a little boy Ben had enjoyed building things. He’d gone from LEGO to high school shop class, and now he was enrolled in a carpentry program at Oshawa Ontario’s Durham College.

Ben came home every afternoon excited by what he’d learned. But before he had finished his first year, tragedy struck. Ben started having stomach problems. He couldn’t eat and his belly was distended. Tests revealed he had several soft tissue tumors pressing against his stomach.

When Ben had to drop out of school to undergo chemotherapy, his favorite instructor, Don Fisher, promised Danita they would hold Ben’s place.

But after three rounds of chemo, doctors somberly told the family, “There’s nothing more we can do.”

“I’ll be okay, but I worry what will happen to Mom,” Ben confided to Don during one of the instructor’s frequent visits.

“I’m still praying for a miracle and that I’ll see you front row in class next fall,” Don told Ben.

“I’m hoping for a miracle too,” Ben said. “But if it doesn’t come, I’ll send my mom in my place.”