For Carmen--A new beginning--A new journey: SEPTEMBER 14, 2009

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

SEPTEMBER 14, 2009

One of my all time favorite pictures of Gail. I feel that the picture captures her grace, her charm, her love, her beauty, her determination and most of all that famous smile that just never seemed to fade.

Below is what was written in the blog a year ago today.

"Legends of angels opened heavenly gates and welcomed Gail at 12:40 PM today. We cry and despair for our earthly life will change forever but we rejoice for our dear sister, mother, wife, daughter and friend is forever with our Lord and I know He has BIG plans for her."

I need say not much more today. I plan to greet the day as the sun comes up by sitting on the monument and thanking the Lord for the honor and privilege of being married to Gail for 41+ years, for having all the happy memories she provided for me, the children and many many others, for her unwavering service to God and all of his creation and most of all for her care and love of me and all our family. I am sure it will be a sad day, a day of many tears but yet I am hopeful it can be a day of happy memories, of fun stories and of thankfulness for how good God has been to me and family. My life is so so changed and I know the lives of the children are so different too because we lost our Gail. But we do believe in eternal life and at some time we will all be together again and what a joyous occasion that will be. As we mark time and wait for that to happen we must and we will live on with new things, new dreams and a life that needs to be full of love of God and love for each other.

Travis, Cynthia, Mike, Faustina, Jude and I will meet at Travis' place late afternoon and sit around an outdoor fire, sharing, laughing, crying and having pie iron treats (The Lees call them Tonka toasts). It is an outdoor food that is easy, fun and certainly one of Gail's favorites.

I did have a fun time yesterday. As I have ridden bike this summer I have mostly ridden solo, early in the morning and that has been good but last night I rode with a group of eleven riders. It was a different experience but fun and that may be something I consider next spring. This fall the biking season is not over but is beginning to draw to a close as the mornings are a bit chilly and likewise so are the evenings. I am hopeful that my road bike may be ready so that I can get a few miles on it before cold weather but we will see. If it is not next spring will be fine. Anyway biking has become a fun thing for me and it has also been a way to get in needed exercise and lose some weigh so it is a win-win situation.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...: Carmen;
Today's feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross no doubt has deep meaning for you...as it should for us all. Gail carried her cross well as it also seems you have this past year. The happy memories, the feelings of pain, etc. are all real...your love of God gets you through life's challenges. God's blessing upon you!
PS- I too will miss the biking season...Zachary and I have enjoyed a considerable number of rides around south Moorhead (especially the playground stops!)
Steve; September 14, 2010 at 4:10 AM
Anonymous said...: Carmen,
You are especially in my thoughts and prayers as you mark this milestone date. Your honest sharing of your struggles and your unwavering faith in the midst of them frequently brings tears to my eyes and I know they bring glory to God. Onward faithful soldier!
Mary Jo; September 14, 2010 at 10:48 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

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

SEPTEMBER 14, 2009

2 comments:

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

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