For Carmen--A new beginning--A new journey: Another of many firsts in the world of "I"

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Another of many firsts in the world of "I"

This picture was taken in Cottage Grove in the summer of 1981. Travis had just won the most skilled player in his age group in the tournament. It looks like that summer the bowl hair cuts were in!!! We still have that soccer ball.
I planned on a "first" today and carried through with it. Mother and I started walking last October. We would often walk with Wallace to John/Marys or to Cynthia/Mikes. When it got too icy or cold outside we purchased a membership in the St. Paul Recreation Center Program which cost a grand total of $25 for a year. With that a person could walk on the track or use the exercise room. Our daily schedule was to walk for an hour around the track which would put us at 3 miles. Then we would use the exercise room for a short time and then use the library for about 30 minutes. It was the first time in our whole married life that we had done something for our health like that and we did it all of October, November, December and into January. It was then that we discovered the lump on Gail's sternum that turned out to be cancer. I did the recreation center thing for the first time today. As I walked around there were many memories and thoughts. I got through it with not too many tears and next time it will be easier I think!!
I purchased some Christmas decorations for the outside of the house today and also finished ALL my Christmas shopping, which was not much so DONE. Last year at this time Gail was sewing PJ's for the grandsons with her new sewing machine and saying how wonderful the sewing machine was and she did not deserve it and I should not have purchased it for her. Well now Gail is in heaven, the machine is sold and the PJ's may be too small for the boys!! Time Marches on and life changes with each day. I have started to have the TV on Christmas music now that Thanksgiving is behind us. For the first time today I thought about Christmas Eve and Christmas Day without Gail---I guess I am not ready to think much about it. I had thought about the holidays in general but not really about the day.
Well as I prepare to do some work tonight I will think about the world of "I" and how the world of "we" is no more. Lord you know better than anyone what will happen in the days, weeks, months and years ahead, please grant me grace, patience and wisdom as life continues to change.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...: Carmen;
Thank you for sharing those icons! We had a nice visit to Jamestown yesterday and today.; November 29, 2009 at 6:20 PM

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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

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Another of many firsts in the world of "I"

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

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