For Carmen--A new beginning--A new journey: B & B Cottage

Thursday, October 29, 2009

B & B Cottage

This was my little home Sunday-Tuesday night. I sat near the front windows and wrote thank you notes some of the time. The real fireplace made it a bit homey. The rooms were oh so small and you could stand any place in the kitchen and reach anything!! I am sure I will remember Wren#6 as it was my first time to venture out without Gail by my side.
Today was a slow day which was nice. I did go baby sit Faustina for a bit as Jude had a dr appt this morning. Most of the rest of the day I stayed close to home. Mary called and invited me over for dinner which was nice. I had not seen Henry, Liam and Audrey for some time so I needed that! Of course it was nice to see John/Mary as well. Mary's dinner was delicious.
I made 2 calls out state today. I called our former neighbors in Devils Lake ND. They still live in the house next to where we used to live. They have 29 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren! I also called Andy/Harriet Hrezo who live in Ohio. I had a nice visit with Andy. They are the ones who really were responsible for us buying the house I have now. When we were looking Andy went and got the Sunday paper that was in the garbage already and that is the only way we saw the for sale ad in the paper.
Cynthia turns 29 Sunday. My or my how I remember getting our little girl in a miraculous way. I came downstairs one morning and told Gail she was pregnant. She started to cry and became angry with me as she thought I was teasing her. We wanted a little girl but after Gail had been so so sick for a month the dr told us there was no way we would have any more children. I held Gail and assured her that I was not teasing and I just knew God was giving us a little girl. We put a pink little bank on our dresser based on God's promise and sure enough November 1ST came and God's promise came true. For Gail to conceive was a total miracle. For our entire married life that moment of God's gift remained the greatest gift ever. Of course Aaron, Travis and John are as special as Cynthia but I am talking about the way God so lovingly gave us our hearts desire. As much as Gail loved the boys she so wanted a daughter. Now of course we have Amy, Mike and Mary who are in the same league, special. Lord please pour your grace out on all of us Sunday as the memories will be like the fall colors in the forest---vivid, front and center.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...: Still reading and loving your blogging. It keeps Gail very close in my heart also. You are a great role model for me. Have a special time with Cynthia on her birthday. Mark; October 30, 2009 at 9:48 AM

Post a Comment

The first reading at Gail's funeral September 18, 2009

I know of no one who fit this better than Gail

Proverbs 31: 10-31
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm.
all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously:
her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her;
Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Well done good and faithful servant, your praise is much and your reward is to be with God forever.

Our Story

Our story begin in 1951, when Carmen was 4 and Gail was 5! We met as our parents were at a camera club. Fast forward--Carmen begin to attend grade school in town in 1957, the same school that Gail went to. Fast forward--We had our first date in the winter of 1964 in Gail's senior year of high school. Again--we were married June 1st of 1968. We moved to St. Paul in October of 1977 and lived at 2094 Niles Ave until Gail's death September 14 of 2009.
Gail first breast cancer was found in October of 2003. After surgery, chemo, radiation and infusions for a year she felt well and we lived life in our normal mode. Carmen retired in June of 2007 and shortly after that we quit doing the paper route as well. In the fall of 2007 we went on our dream vacation. We camped for 7 weeks in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia and in the New England states. Sleeping in our truck and eating over an open fire we felt that we had experienced heaven. Then in January of 2008 we spent 3 weeks in Hawaii with friends and again had so much fun. In the fall of 2008 we did much work on the outside of the house and we were so excited to enter 2009 with big plans and dreams. In January Gail was diagnosed with new cancer. For the next 7 1/2 months we prayed, changed our life style, laughed and cried often. As the end of Gail's life drew near she was peaceful and family cared for her at home until she met Jesus. It was a journey that was wonderful, exciting, blessed, full of life and full of love but of course it was too short. Gail is so missed but I know she is in a better place so my journey must continue on without my true love.
I enter a new decade as the "I" that I never wanted to be but I have hope. Hope of things not experienced and hope that life will again, in 2010, become something that I look forward to each morning. My hope is based on our Lord who gives all, who is all and who gives love to all who believe. I enter this new decade with so many questions and so few answers but with faith that all will be well.

For Carmen--A new beginning--A new journey

Thursday, October 29, 2009

B & B Cottage

1 comment:

The first reading at Gail's funeral September 18, 2009

Our Story

Followers

About Me