For Carmen--A new beginning--A new journey: It doesn't hurt to wish!!!

Friday, May 7, 2010

It doesn't hurt to wish!!!

Here are Gail and I during the fair of 2007. Big smiles, sunny weather and the expectation that life is good and will go on for ever. Well today was different. Gail was not there, the weather was rainy and cold and as I parked cars I wondered to myself what God has in mind for me next. I guess life is kind of like an unplanned vacation. You never know when the next bend in the road will be in front of you.
I did come home cold. I stood in the rain for 5 hours and my hands did not work when I left. Gloves did not help as they just got wet right away. The event was a plant sale. They opened at 11:00 and started giving out numbers at 6:00. When they opened the doors over 1200 numbers had been given. I think people who came at opening had to stand in line for over 2 hours. Not my kind of event. Tomorrow will be a bit different. It should be no rain and we may even see some sun in the afternoon. I think I will be happy at 2:00 tomorrow.
I intend to boil the eggs and the potatoes for the salad tonight and then make it tomorrow afternoon. I do not think I will have the energy to do it all tomorrow. BUT I think I could do the boiling tomorrow and maybe make it after Travis and I go out for breakfast on Sunday. Maybe that would work. I do not know if it is better right away or a day later. I know that Gail often thought in the second day it may tend to get a bit dry. Joan give me the recipe, which I really appreciated, but no amounts. It seems that to dice and slice and dump things in may be dangerous for a guy like me. I will try and if there is a lot left over I will know it didn't turn out the best.
I have thought a lot about Gail today but with not many tears. A year ago she was at this time still doing very well and feeling like she may be getting better. Now a year later we are coming up on 8 months after her death. I do feel like I am doing much better but right at this time it seems like I have almost too much on my plate and really it is not much at all. Maybe I function a bit differently at 63 than I did at 53 or 43.
My brother Dave sent a picture from Jamestown ND where they live and it looks like January there
I am soliciting advice tonight. I took a woodtic out of my leg and think I got it all but it left a sore spot. I am wondering if I need to do anything. I did put some onitiment on it. I need my nurse!!!!
Enough for tonight.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...: Potato Salad is best the next day. Overnight in the frig gives it time for the flavors to blend. Put enough dressing on it so it doesn't dry out. Keep an eye on the tick spot to make sure it's healing. If you get any goofier than you already are head to the doc! No snow here!
Helen; May 7, 2010 at 10:43 PM
Anonymous said...: No snow here in Moorhead either. North Dakota can have it...although I'm sure it's gone by now. Dryer and warmer weather would be nice now. Want to get out and mow the lawn.
Steve; May 8, 2010 at 2:48 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

Friday, May 7, 2010

It doesn't hurt to wish!!!

2 comments:

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

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