For Carmen--A new beginning--A new journey: A fun time

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

A fun time

The title refers to the picture. Taken Dec 29 of 2007. We spent 3 days with John/Mary and family in Wisconsin at a cabin. Gail loved to do things outside. As you can see here we had built a fire and were playing in the snow.
Actually Christmas 2009 without Gail has begun. Aaron/Amy and Leo arrived this afternoon. Cynthia/Mike and kids came over for and with dinner. Travis also came. Cyn made everything and of course it was very good. A/A will be here tonight and most of the day tomorrow including Christmas Eve.
I held my emotions in fairly well tonight but my goodness the house really seemed empty. Of course that was totally the absence of Gail. I know things will go fine and there will be great food, lotz of fun and good conversation but for all of us from time to time things will be pretty empty. I think the last Christmas I was not with Gail was 1964. We never were much on giving each other presents for Christmas but the presence instead of the presents was always so important. This year neither will be here and life will go on. I will hang onto the memories this year and look forward to next time when I know the healer, our mighty God along with "time" will make 2010 a different story. We all know that nobody knows what next year will bring but I do know that my longing for Gail will not be so deep or so tender as this year. I really experienced kind of a miracle this afternoon. For some reason God gave me about 30 minutes of relief and there was that time when I was "up". It was so evident and so here that it caught me by surprise but I was so thankful for the time it was in my spirit. I am confident that the next time it happens it may last an hour or more.
I think it may be early to bed tonight as tomorrow, Friday and Saturday will focus around family and it should be fun.

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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 23, 2009

A fun time

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

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