Celebrate Life
Six days after my fourth child Hope was born, I received the dreaded news of my brother-in-law, Bert having ALS. I couldn’t even accept it when I heard it straight from my sister, Jennifer. I kept thinking of all the reasons it couldn’t be that, wishing a million other things on him that might be less difficult. As I sat in the glider with a new life, it felt like the happiest moment of my life just collided with the saddest. I held onto Hope tight, just as we all would do in the coming year.
The past year has been full of ups and downs, as you have read in the previous blogs. I feel that The Freeze Out Friendly in March helped us kick off the fight. It was that day that I saw Bert smile, talk to and thank not only his friends, but also complete strangers that came out to support him. It would have been a very difficult day for most, emotionally and physically. However, in true Bert fashion, he was able to laugh and joke and stand the ENTIRE day while he watched and coached the sport he loves.
From there, I realized everything was going to be ok. Not because the disease doesn’t suck, but because it couldn’t have happened to a better person. I know this sounds terrible, but it’s like I’ve heard many times before- “God doesn’t give us what we can’t handle.” If anyone can handle this beast, it’s Bert. He has attacked this disease like he has everything else in his life, with perseverance and triumph. He manages to smile and laugh often. He accepts the things he can’t change and has the unique ability to adapt to his new way of life each time there is a bump in the road. I think of this every time someone asks me how he’s doing. They’re usually surprised when I respond “he’s doing ok” with a half smile on my face because I’m thinking of a number of things that made me laugh; like when he amused Sophie and her friend with a comical version of “Riding dirty” with his power wheelchair or the way he tells the story about when he almost passed out during a blood draw at this clinic. I can’t help it, the guy is funny and it’s rare to spend any amount of time with him without cracking up.
If you had the pleasure of knowing Bert personally pre- ALS, you would know that he was a bit of an extremist. When he did something, he did it with commitment and perfection. He spent time researching everything to death and often was known to be an expert in almost everything. He’s the guy you went to when you wanted to know what computer to buy or what was the best “goo” to take during a long run. This hasn’t changed. Similarly to the multiple bikes, shoes and top-notch equipment in his overflowing garage, he maneuvers around the house with the help of four different walkers, in which he of course, has a favorite (which is no doubt by his standards the best!), a power chair that coincidentally was a gift from God as well as the Cadillac of power chairs. He has mastered the operation of the chair and has even taught his son the mechanics of driving it well. He’s a hard worker, a do-er and a teacher/coach. There isn’t much I wouldn’t take his word on.
My kids love their Uncle Bert. They know that he’s sick and see that he has trouble walking. We pray for him at bedtime and at the dinner table. The two oldest are at the age now that we talk about things like God and heaven and guardian angels. They ask questions like “does Great Grandpa have his wheelchair in heaven?” and “why does God want it to rain all day?” They are innocent and naïve, but they are smart and wise beyond their years. I take pleasure in knowing that they are witnessing our prayers bring answered. From day one, we prayed that ALS would be slow progressing; we pray for strength for the entire Lange family, and we pray that Bert is comfortable. Our prayers are being answered everyday and we recognize that as a family. As Jennifer says “always find a positive” and this has been one of my positives. There’s nothing more that anyone wants for their kids, than a reason to believe. So for this, I say thank you to Bert for showing my kids that prayers do get answered and miracles are possible.
The past year has been difficult, as we watched my baby slowly grow and build the strength to walk simultaneously as we watched ALS take Bert’s freedom of walking away. November will always be a special month to me. Hope and Bert will celebrate another year of life together. I choose her name long before I had a clue that this terrible disease would coincide with her arrival, but it means the world to me to have her share a little piece of her Uncle’s story.
As this first year comes to an end and a new one begins, we’d like to help the Lange’s CELEBRATE LIFE by giving them an opportunity to continue a long-standing tradition. For years they have enjoyed going to Gettysburg, PA to stay in various Bed & Breakfasts. This year they will go to the Gaslight Inn for a night~ a gift from “all of us”; Parent’s and Siblings of Bert and Jennifer!! We know how many memories have been made in Gettysburg over the years and want you to continue to make memories there for many years to come. Enjoy. We LOVE you!!
Six days after my fourth child Hope was born, I received the dreaded news of my brother-in-law, Bert having ALS. I couldn’t even accept it when I heard it straight from my sister, Jennifer. I kept thinking of all the reasons it couldn’t be that, wishing a million other things on him that might be less difficult. As I sat in the glider with a new life, it felt like the happiest moment of my life just collided with the saddest. I held onto Hope tight, just as we all would do in the coming year.
The past year has been full of ups and downs, as you have read in the previous blogs. I feel that The Freeze Out Friendly in March helped us kick off the fight. It was that day that I saw Bert smile, talk to and thank not only his friends, but also complete strangers that came out to support him. It would have been a very difficult day for most, emotionally and physically. However, in true Bert fashion, he was able to laugh and joke and stand the ENTIRE day while he watched and coached the sport he loves.
From there, I realized everything was going to be ok. Not because the disease doesn’t suck, but because it couldn’t have happened to a better person. I know this sounds terrible, but it’s like I’ve heard many times before- “God doesn’t give us what we can’t handle.” If anyone can handle this beast, it’s Bert. He has attacked this disease like he has everything else in his life, with perseverance and triumph. He manages to smile and laugh often. He accepts the things he can’t change and has the unique ability to adapt to his new way of life each time there is a bump in the road. I think of this every time someone asks me how he’s doing. They’re usually surprised when I respond “he’s doing ok” with a half smile on my face because I’m thinking of a number of things that made me laugh; like when he amused Sophie and her friend with a comical version of “Riding dirty” with his power wheelchair or the way he tells the story about when he almost passed out during a blood draw at this clinic. I can’t help it, the guy is funny and it’s rare to spend any amount of time with him without cracking up.
If you had the pleasure of knowing Bert personally pre- ALS, you would know that he was a bit of an extremist. When he did something, he did it with commitment and perfection. He spent time researching everything to death and often was known to be an expert in almost everything. He’s the guy you went to when you wanted to know what computer to buy or what was the best “goo” to take during a long run. This hasn’t changed. Similarly to the multiple bikes, shoes and top-notch equipment in his overflowing garage, he maneuvers around the house with the help of four different walkers, in which he of course, has a favorite (which is no doubt by his standards the best!), a power chair that coincidentally was a gift from God as well as the Cadillac of power chairs. He has mastered the operation of the chair and has even taught his son the mechanics of driving it well. He’s a hard worker, a do-er and a teacher/coach. There isn’t much I wouldn’t take his word on.
My kids love their Uncle Bert. They know that he’s sick and see that he has trouble walking. We pray for him at bedtime and at the dinner table. The two oldest are at the age now that we talk about things like God and heaven and guardian angels. They ask questions like “does Great Grandpa have his wheelchair in heaven?” and “why does God want it to rain all day?” They are innocent and naïve, but they are smart and wise beyond their years. I take pleasure in knowing that they are witnessing our prayers bring answered. From day one, we prayed that ALS would be slow progressing; we pray for strength for the entire Lange family, and we pray that Bert is comfortable. Our prayers are being answered everyday and we recognize that as a family. As Jennifer says “always find a positive” and this has been one of my positives. There’s nothing more that anyone wants for their kids, than a reason to believe. So for this, I say thank you to Bert for showing my kids that prayers do get answered and miracles are possible.
The past year has been difficult, as we watched my baby slowly grow and build the strength to walk simultaneously as we watched ALS take Bert’s freedom of walking away. November will always be a special month to me. Hope and Bert will celebrate another year of life together. I choose her name long before I had a clue that this terrible disease would coincide with her arrival, but it means the world to me to have her share a little piece of her Uncle’s story.
As this first year comes to an end and a new one begins, we’d like to help the Lange’s CELEBRATE LIFE by giving them an opportunity to continue a long-standing tradition. For years they have enjoyed going to Gettysburg, PA to stay in various Bed & Breakfasts. This year they will go to the Gaslight Inn for a night~ a gift from “all of us”; Parent’s and Siblings of Bert and Jennifer!! We know how many memories have been made in Gettysburg over the years and want you to continue to make memories there for many years to come. Enjoy. We LOVE you!!
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