For Carmen--A new beginning--A new journey: Happy Easter

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Happy Easter

It is now 9:40 PM. I have had a nap today, made ham and cream potatoes, went to a meeting, enjoyed half of the family and some friends over for much of the day, ate too much, toasted Gail at the grave site with Baileys and I think I am missing some things too. Don't know where to start this evening.
First, Travis picked me up at 6:50 and we went to 7:00 AM church. I then worked on the ham and potatoes until about 9:15 when I left to meet family and friends at Gail's grave site. We spent about 15 minutes there, thanked Gail for her love and service to all of us and also promised we would remember the things she modeled for us. I doubt that we can do things as well as her but we will try. Came home to get the glaze ready for the ham, get the cream potatoes on the grill and Travis made his delicious finger food things. We ate about 2 but actually by that time I was almost full from the pre-meal goodies.
I was so exhausted I took a nap and when I came down stairs most people were gone!! Not good, I can't do that again. I went to the meeting tonight and now here I am, alone and writing on my blog.
The pictures are of Faustina with her basket and the ham as we cut it. I think I was successful in making Grandma Lee's cream potatoes in my new cast iron dutch oven on the grill. They turned out great.
I think part of my tiredness was the emotion of being without Gail. These holidays of course are difficult. Gail always was such a huge part of their success and now to try to do something similar to what Gail would do is just not possible. More than anything I miss the evening after everything was done when Gail and I would sit and talk about the day. Now I can blog, watch TV or something but not talk!!! Life changes so much so fast and it is difficult to keep up with things.
I can't forget, It is Deb Saunders birthday today, happy birthday Deb. It is also 20 years ago today that Grandpa Saunders passed away. He passed away at Regions Hospital. A couple hours after his death, Grandma, Allen and I put Grandpa's body in our van and drove him up to ND, a 4 hour drive. How adventurous is that??? That was grandpa's wish so we did it.
I will relax for a bit and go to bed.

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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, April 4, 2010

Happy Easter

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

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