For Carmen--A new beginning--A new journey: No work done!!!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

No work done!!!

Here is Cynthia in the middle with the Jirek sisters on each side. I think Gail took care of them some times. They sure look happy!
A busy day yesterday and no work finished. I had meditations at 6:00 AM, went out with Jerry for breakfast, went to Mark L for lunch and had men's group over at 3:15 and served soup. No work was to be done for the day--not a big deal!
Had a dentist appt at 8:30 this morning and now will meet someone for lunch in Burnsville at noon.
I just got a call from Cara Dal Pra who is in Rockford IL and she asked if her brother could stay here Thursday-Sunday so that should be nice. Cara is coming to get some things as she is taking a semester off of school to be home and help with the family business.
I don't have a lot to say today. I did think that this week would be a time I could start to get a few more things done around here but now it seems that most of my time is filled up with coming and going.
I still am and perhaps will be in the middle of many decisions. It is oh so difficult for me to decide what to keep and what to give or get rid of in the house. So many things are "Gail" and that is difficult. I will pick up something and know that Gail had something in mind for that. But what would I do with it. Well the answer is often I would do nothing with it but is it worthy to be kept or not??? I really do want to declutter my house, my life and my garage. It seems to me that to live a more simply life and focus on people would be a good and worthy thing to do. I do think that is the direction God is leading. I have also thought much about doing some things that I have never been able to do. The idea of "grabbing the moment" and living it for God and for family is very appealing. For me the decision comes when there is a gray area of self vs others vs God. I do not want to be selfish but I do think God is saying to me that life is about serving, loving, giving and being and within that structure there is also a place for self enjoyment. As I say that I still am a bit concerned that there is too much of "self" in my thoughts and actions.
I need to get somethings ready before I head to Burnsville.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...: Carmen;
I'd like to share a prayer I'd run across some time back. Your thoughts inspired me to share this...
MY LORD GOD, I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE I AM GOING. I DO NOT SEE THE ROAD AHEAD OF ME. I CANNOT KNOW FOR CERTAIN WHERE IT WILL END. NOR DO I REALLY KNOW MYSELF, AND THE FACT THAT I THINK I AM FOLLOWING YOUR WILL DOES NOT MEAN THAT I AM ACTUALLY DOING SO.
BUT I BELIEVE THAT THE DESIRE TO PLEASE YOU DOES IN FACT PLEASE YOU, AND I HOPE THAT I HAVE THAT DESIRE IN ALL THAT I AM DOING. I HOPE THAT I NEVER DO ANYTHING APART FROM THAT DESIRE. AND I KNOW THAT IF I DO THIS YOU WILL LEAD ME BY THE RIGHT ROAD THOUGH I MAY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IT.
THEREFORE I WILL TRUST YOU ALWAYS. THOUGH I MAY SEEM TO BE LOST AND IN THE SHADOW OF DEATH I WILL NOT FEAR, FOR YOU ARE EVER WITH ME AND YOU WILL NEVER LEAVE ME TO FACE MY PERIL ALONE.
Thomas Merton (1915-1968)

God's peace to you!
Steven Lane; January 14, 2010 at 2:51 AM
Anonymous said...: Carmen,
Good morning and hope the dentist was kind to you. I love the prayer by Thomas Merton. Where
ever we find ourselves in life it is a prayer that speaks to me. I know I fall so short of what maybe God intends for my life I still go down the road knowing He is still with me. I have had plenty of extra time to think lately and I end up wasting time. Knowing our days are numbered time should not be taken lightly.
If you need a roadtrip I think
you should bring Henry and Liam out to the farm for a day or two. Or just come yourself. Take care,
Mark; January 14, 2010 at 9:06 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

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

No work done!!!

2 comments:

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

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