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

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Not a great picture but it was taken at Hugo's cottage in the summer of 1966 which was after my freshman year of college and Gail had finished her sophomore year. The top picture is of Hugo, Gail's favorite uncle. Hugo had 4 brothers and all of their names ended in o. Some of them were Otto, Hugo, Waldo and there were 2 others!
I was not able to get to the tree trimming today. I will see how I do tomorrow.
My sister Joan called and my sister Helen called yesterday and I so enjoyed both calls.
I went to a wood store today, Rockler, but did not buy anything. It is funny as now I don't have to be concerned about anyone else and could buy what ever I wanted but that really is not important to me. Of course when I say that I am limited by $$ as are most of us but what I mean is what we may tell our self and what is real are often two different things. In the past I may have said that I wish I could buy something but then I may say that is not a good idea because Gail needs this or we need this. But really the "thing" is not important, what really is important is people. I have always thought of myself as not a people person but as time goes on now I have come to realize more and more that life is all about people and NOT about work or things or money or anything else.
I am becoming a bit up tight about my open house on Friday. I have not had an ounce of energy or desire to get ready for it. I had better change or Friday could be a total disaster!!
Some time ago I called myself the plastic person because I had so many plastic containers from food that was brought over. Well I was wrong, we actually live in a plastic culture. I have been good about walking and getting my miles in each day. Well I would say that for every person I meet maybe 1 in 10 make eye contact and say hi. The rest look away, look at the ground or just stare ahead as if they are plastic. It could be that my face scares them but I doubt it, I think they may be plastic. I will continue to look up and say hi but I don't know if it will make any difference.

1 comment:

Connie said...: Isn't it ironic that sometimes we are actually more free when we have constraints, self imposed or otherwise. Maybe it is the security of knowing that we are free within certain boundaries or guidelines.

Went to the Augsburg Vespers and one of the readings was about God's intimate closeness and us feeling as if the Grand Canyon is between us. Strange but true at times.

Best wishes for your open house. You can do it!; December 7, 2009 at 8:48 AM

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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

Sunday, December 6, 2009

1 comment:

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

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