For Carmen--A new beginning--A new journey: Better late than never

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Better late than never

Here is Grandma Saunders with most of her great grand children. This was taken on her birthday weekend, February 5/6.
There were some missing but many are in the picture.
I have been lazy in writing on the blog. I did return to Naples FL last Monday. I arrived to weather that is certainly much much different than St. Paul. Today it was pleasant sitting by the pool in the sun as the temp was right around 80. I guess one can not want better weather than that in February.
I have spent my time playing tennis, walking the beach and in general enjoying things. I am staying with a friend, Terry, who was a high school classmate. We have reconnected after many many years. She has a home in Naples. At this time my timetable is open as to when I might return to MN. The longer one stays in this nice weather the harder it is to think about returning to winter in MN. I have found that it is easy to relax, enjoy and just be here. Now that I have decided to step out of Servant Camp things seem less hurried, less stressful and more relaxed. For sure I will miss the excitement of camp, of the staff and most of all the campers but the other side of life outside of camp is also exciting and alluring.
I did slightly injure myself as I was warming up to play tennis last Friday. I hurt a calf muscle, didn't even know I had a muscle there!! It acted like a bad cramp but it just did not go away so I have been limping around a bit the last couple of days. I am hopeful that I can be on the court and on the bike in short order but will see. I guess the bottom line is this body really is not what it used to be!!!!
No maybe it is time to catch some sun again.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...: Okay, you're making me envious of the warm weather. We have gotten warmer temps and the snow is gone and I'm out golfing again so I'm happy. Took you a hellava lot longer to realize that a warmer winter wasn't such a bad idea versus all that snow than it did me! Have a good time, just try to do moderate activities conducive to your age! Helen; February 20, 2011 at 10:36 PM
Unknown said...: I'm dreaming about that kind of winter. Dale; February 22, 2011 at 10:07 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

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Better late than never

2 comments:

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

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