For Carmen--A new beginning--A new journey: A remembance of the summer

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

A remembance of the summer

The rose bushes are a thing of the past for now but we still can enjoy them through these pictures. This rose bush was full of roses all summer and was so pretty.
I am having one of those days that one likes to forget. Went on a 2 mile run this morning and then decided to take a very short bike ride. As I turned into Cynthia's driveway I turned too sharp and me and the sidewalk meet up close and personal. Of course as one would expect I lost and the sidewalk was none the worse for the encounter. I came away with a bloody knee and a very sore shoulder. It got to the point this afternoon that I was a bit concerned so went into EC (ergent care) and they confirmed what I thought, a bad bruise but nothing broken. However it did make my day almost unless in terms of work. I was thankful for Cynthia who drove me to EC and then brought along dinner for me to eat while I waited to see the dr. As she waited she was able to access the internet on my new fancy phone and show a lady there one of her knitting projects. I would say that for sure now I am justified in getting the new phone!!!! :)
So I sit here tonight with ice on my shoulder, missing men's group and for some reason the house seems extra big, extra dark, extra empty at this time. I hate to admit it but as I sit here there is not a stream of tears but a little trickle of salty water running down my cheek, onto my chin and dripping on the TV tray that my computer sits on. As I glance at that little puddle of water it reminds me that there are times of joy, times of despair, times of gain, times of loss but always a time to thank our God for his goodness. For his love and goodness overcome much pain, much despair, much disappointment and much sadness.
I am thinking that if my shoulder is good enough tomorrow I will drive to Madison to pick up my bike and drive home. On Friday I may go up to the Bindes in the afternoon and take material for the deer stand. Then On Saturday and Sunday I will take time away to reflect. I did that in the spring and it was good. I will bring my thermorest, sleeping bag and covers in case I decide it is warm enough to sleep in the back of the pickup. If not I will bit the bullet and find a place where I can be alone a bit. I actually have thoughts about if I will be able to work on the deer stand as this shoulder is pretty sore. The dr did say tomorrow will be the worst and then it should get better. I suppose I could look on the bright side and say that I am now a "real" biker with road rash on my knee and a sore body!! Travis suggested this morning, jokingly, that I better get myself a spandex outfit and shave my legs. Well we will not go that far---the spandex maybe after I lose 10 more pounds.
Time for some more ice on that shoulder.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...: Well you're the one that said we aren't young any more! Your soreness too shall pass. After my 200 holes of marathon golf, in which we raised quite a bit of money for our fire department, my legs were sore for just a couple of days. So there is hope!! Spandex??? Halloween is coming up you could dress up in them and see the reaction you get and decide from there! Go ahead, shave your legs and know what we women go through!! Yes, we all know you were perfection but when I did come along that changed!!! Nurse your wounds and get back out there! You'll be fine. Helen; October 13, 2010 at 10:37 PM

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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

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

A remembance of the summer

1 comment:

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

Our Story

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