a message to learn from

My last post I wrote about a friend Michael Brandt who is now walking and running on the streets of gold in heaven.  This past week I have been looking through the emails we had shared over the past year.  And one specifically jumped out at me.  I would like to share it with all of you because it not only has meaning...... it has meat to it!  What do I mean by that? Michael said it like it was, he put a lot of thought behind his words and then spoke it, not many people do that.  I myself have been known to just blab, hence the need for a blog, LOL.

I really enjoyed Michaels wisdom which is why I felt comfortable asking difficult questions like in this email below. Here is how it read.......

Hey Michael,

How do you keep your thought's "under control" so to speak. How do you keep your mind from racing and thinking about the next day, what could or would happen?

I struggle with fear, not anxiety fear but more my mind wanders, I am a "worst case scenario" person 

I have been learning over the past year to fill my mind with positive not negative thoughts, which has helped me to become stronger.To have more control, and to really bring it to the Lord. But still I find myself..... fearful. I have had a number of really difficult things happen in my life to cause fear but in looking back I definitely see that God has worked it out for  His glory. I think I still just really struggle with trust. Funny huh? I don't trust our Creator!

So I thought I would ask you your advice! How do you keep your thoughts healthy?

Jen

And this is how he responded..........

First of all, you assuming that my thoughts are healthy to begin with is a stretch!  I have lived my entire life being fearful…until April 1, 2011, the day I was diagnosed with ALS.  Suddenly, I felt released….liberated….done with needing to be afraid.  It’s a bit weird, but true.  I didn’t need to prove anything to anyone anymore, and I knew that God had a plan for me.  Of course, I occasionally feel sadness when I think about all the time that I will miss with Barb and the boys, but I trust that God’s plan includes taking care of them and filling them with  more joy than if I had been here with them (which of course, I plan to be right beside them in spirit until we’re reunited in heaven).  Plus, I’ve been enjoying my “accelerated-compressed retirement” so much that I’ve totally forgotten about being afraid. 

I’m not sure if any of this is helpful to you.  But it has reinforced this basic premise for me: shit happens---trust that God will help you deal with it. Michael

Isn't it crazy how something that seems hard to grasp.... can be simply summed up with one word..... Trust.

I took his advice back then (last may) and began to trust more, live more and fear......less.  A wise man Michael Brandt,  a wise man, thank you for your friendship and candidness. 

All of us can learn from Michael.  He became diagnosed and LIVED, most of us live without disease or pain but we do not LIVE.  I am thankful today,  I am living the life I dreamed of.  Living a life full of fulfillment, and a life that has purpose and shares it with others.  

Have an amazing day and LIVE without fear!

Jen

See you again

Wow.... heaven got a really cool guy yesterday!
Michael Brandt was diagnosed with ALS in April of 2011 and today he is spending his day disease free.  Michael spent the last 2 years enjoying life and living life to the fullest.  He spent more time with his family and pursuing what really mattered in life......his purpose.

Michaels family and friends have been a constant support through these last very difficult weeks.  I can't imagine how difficult it was to watch this terrible disease take it's toll.
But what  has stuck with me the most was Michael.  Here was a man who spent hours upon hours in a body that would not move, that slowly began to fail him and in the end completely shut down.  His mind was still sharp, his wit and humor still evident... like the radiant smile and eyebrow raise I received in the hospital when Barb shouted "Michael your girlfriend is here to visit"  And not once did I hear him say why me?  He embraced his situation with honor and dignity, he was an advocate for others battling ALS.  He was and is and will always be....... an inspiration to many many people.

Over the summer I was invited to photograph a special family reunion out at their lake home.  When I started photographing I could tell Michael was having a hard time.  His smile was forced, his face a bit strained.  Barb said he was having a hard time, really realizing this would be the last time they would all be together.  As the day went on and a few lighthearted jokes were made and Michael began to relax, and this smile started to shine. To this day this is my most favorite picture I took in 2013........ What an amazing smile Michael

Barb and Michael Brandt

My sadness is not for Michael, I know where Michael is....... standing on the streets of heaven.  My guess is he has already taken on some amazing leadership role.   My sadness is for those who are left behind.  It can feel like such an empty hole when someone so important leaves your life.  It can feel overwhelming when you want to share a big event and that person is not there to share it.  It can be painful to be alone with your thoughts.  

Loss takes a while to heal from, and does a person ever really heal from it?  I don't think a person does, I believe we experience the joy and sorrow to show us how valuable we are to each other, to put away the excess and experience what gift each person has to give to each other.  Michael gave me the gift to endure.  I will miss you sitting in my corner Michael, you always new the right time to let me know just how special we all are....... I will see you again someday!

If you would like to help find a cure for this terrible disease please help by donating to: ALS foundation