For Carmen--A new beginning--A new journey: March 1!!!!!!

Monday, March 1, 2010

March 1!!!!!!

Here is Gail and and I in Hawaii in January of 2008. It was Gail's third time in Hawaii and my first and she was so excited for me to experience everything. It was a grand time for 3 weeks.
Today was a breath of fresh air. It was sunny and the temp was close to 40. I took a 3 mile walk and enjoyed each step. It looks to me that in a short time I may be able to get the bike out. Perhaps it will snow by then so who knows but today and the rest of the week is supposed to be great. I am not so naive as to think that spring has sprung but it doesn't hurt to dream!
I felt so much better today. I don't know if it was the weather, a new month, more prayer or what caused it but my spirits were better than all of last week. It just seemed to be one of those "upper" days that I have not experiecned much in the last several months. Actually it may be that I am just getting more realistic or normal if that is possible. I do think that I am starting to come to grips with the fact that I am a 63 year old guy who has much of his life behind him, hopefully many more years ahead of him and there will be much to do, many places to go and many things to finish in the months and years ahead.
I finally was able to call the camp grounds and reserve camp sites for everyone in the family over July 4 weekend. I had it on my mind for a few weeks but just could not pull the trigger. I had reservations last summer and then we canceled because Gail was not feeling well. I think I had a difficult time putting that out of mind when I would try to call. Anyway it is done and we have the group site for 3 nights. The lady could not believe me when I said I needed 4 tent sites without electricity.
I was so sad to hear that Mary, a high school classmate lost her husband 3 weeks ago. I have not seen her since high school but it is difficult to hear things like that. I have so much empathy for those situations as after one goes through that you just wish nobody else has to experience it too. My prayers will be with Mary in the days ahead.
The rest of the week is a bit busy as 2 things going on tomorrow, one on Wednesday and one on Thursday. The days, weeks and months just fly by with no let up. Of course how could one expect time to stand still!!!

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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

Monday, March 1, 2010

March 1!!!!!!

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

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