For Carmen--A new beginning--A new journey: A success

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

A success

I spent about 8 hours at River Ridge today preparing for and doing our annual fund raiser taco dinner for camp. It was a rousing success. We served 24 pounds of tomatoes, 20 pounds of cheese, 15 pounds of lettuce, about 70 pounds of taco meat on 650 taco shells. We ran out of shells and there was enough meat but not 1 spoonful was left over. In all we took in over $4000 for the night which included 2 checks that came in the mail. Our kids at camp will benefit so much and it will be great. A huge huge thank you to all the friends of camp who are so generous with their money. To top it off it seemed that everyone just had a wonderful time while they donated their money and ate food. Of course there were our faithful servants who help each year and make me believe that they have a great time cooking, preparing, dicing, and putting items in 1500 2 oz cups so that people can go through the line very fast. I was too emotionally exhausted and too physically tired to take in the praise, worship and program at 7:15 but it looked like everyone was enjoying that too.
So that is finished and now I need to look at the number of campers and hope that they are not down too much. That will happen shortly. Also much work to be done with camp but when one is doing God's work and building his kingdom and serving our younger brothers and sisters how much more could one ask. Bring it on Lord and use me and everyone more and more to build your heaven here on earth.
The day was very good but I would have to say that the tears came, the absence of Gail was felt so much and these times are perhaps healing but in the process it is difficult, painful and something I wish I need not go through but what can I say, it is and it will be for some time. I am thankful for God who still seems to want to use me at camp, I am thankful for the business that camp creates in my life and I am so so thankful for the sisters and brothers in Christ and family who love me and support me in spite of my many faults. Many times I ask God if he could just make me perfect for one day, I don't think that is asking too much. Well maybe I would settle for being near perfect for one day or maybe I should just settle for God's continuing love and forgiveness.
I took 2 Advil PM and am thinking I will try to sleep past 6:00 tomorrow.

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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

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

A success

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

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