McGAFFEY, N.M. — From atop the McGaffey Pine Tree Overlook, Gordon House could see forever.
The young architect from Thoreau had a clear view of the Cibola National Forest below, the Breadsprings chapter miles away and the red Zuni twin mesas towering over miles of green hills.
At age 24, the tall Navajo man stood over the platform, contemplating the landscape with much pride, and in excitement about the future.
He has many reasons to be proud.
House designed and supervised construction of the 40-foot long retaining wall and platform, all made with natural stones to the area — a la Anasazi style — that hundreds of visitors will get to enjoy over the years to come.
And, most important, a tragic accident that marked his family 18 years ago is no longer holding him down. Through hard work, discipline and service to his community, House has gained self-confidence and respect and also learned to cope with the past, becoming his own man, he said.
"I've been fighting to become my own person, and I think I have achieved that goal," House said.
House was 6 years old the night his father drove the wrong way on Interstate 40 in Albuquerque and slammed into another vehicle, killing a woman and her three daughters.
The fatality evolved in tragedy for both families, as House's father, who is also named Gordon House, spent 11 years in prison for the DWI collision.
From that night on, the young House was challenged with many obstacles.
He grew up without the presence of his father in a small community where the accident made headlines, and he was also severely judged by peers.
"I went through high school with everybody knowing about my dad," House said, adding that while dozens of kids were turning to alcohol and drugs to escape a dysfunctional reality in the Navajo Reservation, he turned to athletics, becoming a cross-country runner for Thoreau High School.
"It was not about competing. It was about coping with my life," he said, adding that through his father's mistakes he learned about the value of life, choices, actions and consequences. His choice early on was not to drink, and to surround himself by people alike.
"Everything can change forever in an instant," he said.
During his teens, House also turned to hard labor, working his way up the ranks of the Gallup-McKinley County Youth Conservation Corps, said its director, Karl Lohmann.
"He started as a laborer," Lohmann said. "Now, he is our right-hand man."
House earned a bachelor's degree in architecture from the University of New Mexico in 2009. Upon his return to McKinley County, Lohmann was delighted to take him back and entrusted him with a series of projects aimed at beautifying and enhancing the community.
House's most impressive work, according to his supervisors, is the Pine Tree Overlook.
House designed the overlook and supervised about 35 workers during the three-month construction. Bill Siebersma, president of Gallup Trails 2010, said he was very impressed with House's leadership and managerial skills.
"The way his crew behaves around him is with respect, and they like him. And that says a lot about a person," Siebersma said.
About the self-sustainable piece of architecture on top of a hill in the Cibola National Forest, Siebersma said it is an outstanding work of "organic" masonry that speaks for House's talents, work standards and personal achievements.
"He is a top-notch guy," Siebersma said.
It also is evidence a man can rise above adversity and be the architect of his own life, Lohmann said, adding that House is "writing his own life script that has a positive destiny."
Not many can do it, he said, adding that it takes a lot of discipline, strength and focus.
"To see someone like Gordon rise above adversity is inspiring to all," Lohmann said.