For Carmen--A new beginning--A new journey: A ride down memory lane

Sunday, December 19, 2010

A ride down memory lane

Here is our family picture of 2008. Since then we have lost our Gail and gained Jude and Ruby Gail.
As I was riding my 30+ minutes on the bike this morning I listened to Christmas music to help the time pass but I also spent the time reflecting on life over the last many many years. Some of the thoughts were:

Life just moves way to fast
I have always been one to say I don't want to go back into the past I just want to move forward with my life and I guess I still say that but with the Advent Season here and Christmas fast approaching it is difficult to really have that in my heart.
I remembered the presents at home on the farm. Mom and Dad always put them above the kitchen cupbroards. I remember the reflectors on the tree lights.
I remembered my all time favorite present which was a clock radio. I knew I would so enjoy listening the Harry Cary and the St. Louis Cardinal baseball as I fell asleep in the summer time.
I remembered Gail's and my first Christmas together with our Charlie Brown tree.
One of the most fun Christmas presents in our family was when we gave a computer to the kids. Each one had a present to open and it was maybe the printer or the key board or another part and the screams of delight still ring in my ears.
Of course the many many times we would go and cut our tree. One year Gail decided she wanted 2 trees, one for the living room and one for the basement. On the way home one of them fell off the top of the car!!
The first 2 Christmas' we were in St. Paul most of my family came. We had aunts, uncles and cousins sleeping every place possible. It was one of our most fun extended family times.
All our Christmas times after grandchildren arrived were special
I thought about the Christmas we gave each of the boys a tool box that I made. I think they may still have them.
There was the time we drove to CA to be with grandma/grandpa Saunders

The thoughts went on and on and on. As I glanced at my timer and saw that my 30 minutes was up I was ready to reflect just a bit more on today. Here I was riding my bike at about 11:30 AM. I had been to church, had read the paper, had a bite to eat, spent time praying and now was finishing some exercise. As I went to take a shower I glanced at the guy in the mirror as I passed. My what a life can do to a person. It was not visible but I knew that in the back of that head was a bald spot, the arms did not look so strong, the neck had some wrinkles, the stomach was a bit too big, those biking legs were actually not bad, the chest didn't seem to be as broad as I think I remember BUT---with my best effort, with the attitude of a brave guy I smiled, held my head up straight and said in a voiceless tone, "God I am happy to be alive, I am happy to be here, I am thankful for a wonderful family and if I ever forget to be grateful please forgive me. Thank you for the gift of your son and I promise you that I will always try my best to love and serve you."
Well it is on the a couple of things before a 3:00 Christmas program I will be going to.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...: I also remember when Dad had bought you and Dave a bbgun and told us kids not to try to open the trunk of the car cause it was froze shut. I also remember the Christmas that I peeked at my present on top of the cuppboard, that ruined my Christmas no fun. Have never done that again.Joan; December 19, 2010 at 7:22 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

Sunday, December 19, 2010

A ride down memory lane

1 comment:

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

Our Story

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