One last promise
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KSWT, KECY) - A wife's dying wish for her husband was for him to bring bluebirds back to their Oregon ranch by building birdhouses for them. Since then, he's worked at fulfilling that wish and more.
Trevor Russell met his wife Vivian at The University of Oregon which they both attended.
She was a Journalist major and he was an Education major.
Right off the bat, the two hit it off, and eventually ran off and got married.
Trevor remembers when the two approached Vivian's father to give him the news of their marriage.
He describes an angry father who stormed out of the room. Trevor remembers Vivian describing the moment as "going well."
Vivian eventually got Parkinson's disease, which she had for 23 years of her life.
Trevor described Vivian as a special patient, and that she was always happy and loved talking to people.
One day, when Vivian was set to take a nap, she asked Trevor if he would sit with her because she couldn't sleep and had a lot on her mind.
It was this moment where Vivian asked Trevor that when she is gone, will he continue to make birdhouses, and try to bring the bluebirds back to Oregon." Trevor simply replied he will.
Vivian had a nurse that would help take care of her, named Maria.
Later that day Maria had taken Vivian to an event and brought her back home after to Trevor, who was having a poker night with some buddies.
At 93-years-old Trevor still remembers the day clearly as he said Vivian was taken to bed at about 9:30 p.m.
It was 11 p.m. when Trevor finally called it a night and went to bed. He said he was talking to her and when she didn't respond to him, he rolled over and realized she had passed.
Trevor described how he remembered the hugging, kissing, and loving his wife. He also couldn't help but remember the last promise he made to her on making the birdhouses.
Since then he has made 3,336 birdhouses that have been put up all over the country. He has a map hung up in his living room with pushpins of the different cities across the United States that have his birdhouses up.
Trevor said he feels like he has fulfilled the promise to his wife, but isn't going to quit yet. He hopes he can make it to creating 5,000 birdhouses.
He gives the birdhouses out for free with the only request of a photo of where the birdhouse is being put up. You can also purchase a book on Trevor's promise here.
If you would like a birdhouse you can call Trevor at 541-223-8152.
