NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Do you ever feel like you have a particular calling or purpose?
Over time, you might feel like that shifts because our lives and priorities evolve.
One man had the same job for more than 20 years — seeing some of the darkest times our world has ever seen. Now he uses a hobby for his own second purpose.
“Oh yeah, it’ll cure what ails ya," said Tad Derrickson. "I worked with a pulmonologist at Skyline Medical Center."
Derrickson worked as a nurse for 20 years.
He worked in the hospital at the height and rise of the pandemic. He worked seven days on and seven days off.
On those off days, he followed his love and ran a mobile sawmill.
“So I grew up with my grandfather running the sawmill," he said.
He takes trees that might end up in landfills and gives them that second purpose.
“You know and thankfully, the homeowner recognized that hey, this is black walnut," Derrickson said about a tree in East Nashville. "Two, it’s a tree that’s beautiful and has been here as long as we have.”
The tree that's focused in the player above will soon turn over a new leaf.
“Literally this by itself could be a table, it could be a bench, it could be shelving," he said. “We’ve helped people literally take old trees and make tables for every member of their family.”
To learn more about Derrickson's work, click here.
Do you have a positive story you'd like to share? You can email me at Austin.Pollack@newschannel5.com
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Another example of how one person can truly make a difference. And the best part - we all can help! As a nurse, Laura handles emergencies every day. But nothing could prepare her for the emergency that brought her hometown to its knees. From her current home in Tennessee, she's mobilizing aid and supplies for Helene survivors and is helping make their recovery easier and their holidays brighter. I hope you take a moment to watch her story - you might even feel inspired to lend a helping hand.
-Rebecca Schleicher
