Barb's Journey part II

Barb has this undeniable strength, which she believes people think she is stronger than she is. I have personally seen this strength and I can tell you.... I admire her. Barb spends most of her day tending to her husbands needs. The simple things you and I take for granted are a big deal in the Brandt household. Starting their day at 5am, getting herself ready, Michael ready and their 2 boys off to school is a task. But one that Barb has fully embraced as a gift.
It is easy for me to understand where her strength comes from but hard for me to understand how she endures. It's not like Barb has a hard day or two and then a man on a white horse shows up. No, it's a daily, physically and mentally enduring job they both face EVERY DAY.
 Barb and Michael accept his diagnosis as if Michael were chosen to have ALS for a purpose. A purpose that may be greater than they fully understand at this time, but one they fully embrace. Barb and Michael love the Lord. They both love to share their story and as believers feel it is their purpose to share with whomever wants to listen. Does that mean that Barb has never wondered "why us? Why Michael?" of course she has, she is human. Does that mean she doesn't ever wonder why bad things happen to good people?  of course. But what Barb and Michael SEE and believe is so incredible it makes me question how I would stand on my own faith when challenged with such an enormous battle.
Barb sees that God has brought many blessings out of this diagnosis to their household. Prior to Michael's diagnosis he was a work-aholic, he traveled a lot and did not have a lot of time at home with his family. He's now home 24/7!  Michael's ALS has allowed them to be on a platform in front of many people and speak about what it is like to live a life facing a terminal disease. It has put them in touch with so many people (one being me!) and touch so many lives.

What I love about Barb and Michael is that they continue to go about there day with fun and exciting activities with just a bit more.... planning. You can often see them tooling down the road in a sweet red convertible mustang, Barb the one driving Michael directing. Hanging out at Caribou or relaxing in Barbs favorite spot... the couples massage table. Yes they are ordinary people living an ordinary life.
I asked Barb "does anything ever get to you, what do you struggle with?" She said "yes, but we take it one day at a time" I dug a little deeper to see what daily things are a struggle. She said "brushing his teeth" now for me I think it would be getting him in and out of the car, Michael is a tall dude. But Barb struggles with the teeth. It kills her back, the position she has to be in and Michael cannot swallow so his head has to be in the right position. There were a few other things that they struggle with and Barb gets a bit frustrated with so I put on my "challenge cap" and asked them to try something. I asked both of them to participate in one day of doing EVERYTHING backwards. Wait it gets better.... I said Barb can't complain and Michael can't tell her how to do it. As if the daily tasks weren't hard enough!!
They were troopers and followed through (yes, we are still friends).
Follow me tomorrow to see how they did!