For Carmen--A new beginning--A new journey: Another first and another cry

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Another first and another cry

That is my sister Helen and I making our version of a snow house. I would guess it was taken about 1955 or 1956.
It surely is winter outside. Many cars stuck, much snow piled up etc. When I returned home from doing some errands Gail was supposed to be at the door. If she would have been there she would have said she was worried about me getting in an accident, she would have had an apron on because there would have been a snack waiting and I would have handed to her the things which I had gotten. Instead when I opened the door everything was the same as when I had left. Many dirty dishes, the tree was still bare and there was no snack waiting for me. Such is LAG.
I have decided to do something different with the tree this year. I think I will not put lights on it. Instead I am going to put the nativity scene near the tree and put two small flood lights on the tree and nativity scene. I will put ornaments on the tree. There will be many memories when I put those up this afternoon. I will see but for some reason I just need to do something a bit different this year.
I think there are prayers for my back as I was able to shovel the snow without too much pain. It does seem to be a bit better now.
No, I really need to get something done around here as at the moment it looks like the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. And the word is there will be no government aid coming so I best do my thing!!!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...: I didn't realize we were so creative at our young age!! Looks pretty cold, must have been why I decided to move to warmer climates!
You could start a new tradition with your tree. String the lights, put the nativity scene up and have your open house guests contribute to the tree decorating. Then it would be a neighborhood tree as well as the family history. A friend of mine started that tradition of a tree decorating party each year and I was fortunate to be part of it for many years. It always created wonderful memories and stories for years to come. I hate missing them now that I'm not close to SC. Just a thought. No snow here, but flurries today and in the 20's. Still not the snow shoveling chores you have. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. I'll be thinking of you.

Love, Helen; December 9, 2009 at 3:12 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

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Another first and another cry

1 comment:

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

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