For Carmen--A new beginning--A new journey: A Time of memories

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

A Time of memories

Here is Gail in Nova Scotia in October of 2007. She is writing, most likely a postcard to someone. She loved camping, the fire and cooking outdoors.
Not too much done today. I did go to Schoenrock to talk a bit more about a monument. I will be happy when that whole thing is finished. It will not be completed for some time but it does wear on me. I have decided what scripture I want on the monument if it can be put on. I took it out of the Bible that Grandma and Grandpa Saunders used when they were first married. Gail had been using that one for the last few months of her life. It is And we know that to them that love God, all things work together unto good, to such as, according to his purpose, are called to be saints. Romans 8:28
Gail had marked that as one of her favorites. I am not sure we can fit all of it on the monuments but will talk about that tomorrow morning.
I am mindful of the fact that coming up in about 2 weeks it will be 6 months since we said good bye to Gail, mother and grandmother. I just can not believe it has been half of a year. We have a video camera and I had not used it for a long time. I took it with me to Madison last weekend and as I was looking for the tape I wanted to use I looked as some tapes with Gail on them. I am not ready for that yet. She just looked too alive, too real, too "right here now" so I will save those for another time and I am sure that I will be so happy I have some of her. I am sure in time I will say I don't have enough with Gail on but right now I can't go there.
I attempted to go into the attic and put somethings away today and the things I need to do almost overwhelmed me. Gail had so many ideas and saved so many things there just are many many decisions to make so I closed the attic door and will leave that too for another day. I have said it more than once but what to save, what to give, what to throw --it all is just too much for now so will save things to do at a later date.
Some how I have a difficult time paring down my activities. Tomorrow there will be 6:30 breakfast, 6 PM dinner with Paul at my house, Friday a meeting here, Saturday 10 men coming over for breakfast and Saturday night I get to entertain Faustine for a few hours. Perhaps 10-15 years ago that would have been a yawner but now that sounds busy!!
Enough

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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, February 24, 2010

A Time of memories

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

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