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When All Your Tomorrows Start Without Me

"WHEN ALL YOUR TOMORROW'S START WITHOUT ME"

copywrite

2008

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jUNE

(June K. Berg - 1980's)

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To Stan and to my Family... 

When all your tomorrows start without me, and I am not there to see,

If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me.

I know how much you love me, as much as I love you,

And each time you think of me, I may be thinking of you too.

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When all your tomorrows start without me, please try to understand,

That Jesus came and called my name and took me by the hand.

He said June, your Home is ready in heaven far above,

and that I have to leave behind all those I dearly love.

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But as I turned to follow Jesus, a tear fell from my eye,

For all my life I’d never thought about my time to die.

I thought of all my yesterdays the good ones and the bad,

I thought of all the love we shared and all the fun we had.

If I could have stayed a bit longer…for just a little while…

I’d have said goodbye, held you, kissed you and maybe seen you smile.

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But then I realized that this could never be.

For memories with sadness will take the place of me.

I thought of you and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow.

I thought  about the emptiness that would be a part of your tomorrows

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But when I walked through Heaven’s gate, I felt so much at home.

As Jesus looked back and smiled at me, I no longer felt alone.

He said “This is eternity, and all I’ve promised you.

June, your life on earth is past, but here it starts anew.

I promised you a tomorrow and that day is here at last…

the days here never end, so there’s no longing for the past.”

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So when your tomorrows start without me, don’t think we’re far apart…

for every time you think of me I’ll be there in your heart.

 

June Thursday -  23 October 2008  (The Day June Died)

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This is a poem written for June by Stan...after all I did have June's Power of Attorney and I wrote what I thought June would have written if she could.

Happy 87th Birthday June!…When my tomorrows started without you it was as if that beautiful symphony that had played all the days of our life together, suddenly fell silent…

The day that God called you home was 6 years ago and just a few days before your 81st birthday...for me it seems like yesterday!

I will love you and miss you each and every one of the remaining days of my life here on earth…you are always in my heart and on my mind...and June, on that someday that God calls me home, you will once again hear me call your name…

 Stan... Saturday 8 November 2014

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June and Stan's Hands 

 (June and Stan’s Hand’s – June nearing Life’s end)

(Photo  Jim Gherz)

 

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Published for June's 87th Birthday - Sunday edition - Minneapolis Star - Tribune, 9 November 2014

 

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In Honor of June's 87th birthday and as a gift from June to the residents of the Benedictine Health Care Center of Innsbruck, New Brighton, Minnesota will be the 25th consecutive quarterly performance of "June's Benedictine Blue Grass Five" performing an hour long concert on Saturday 8 November 2014...

"June's Benedictine Blue Grass Five"

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Powers of Attorney – Man’s Laws and God’s Laws…and June

This is an explanation of why I feel I can write in June's name and in her behalf...and or otherwise act in her behalf...

A number of years ago, June and I executed mutual “Powers of Attorney” giving each other “Power of Attorney” for all legal matters and medical end of life matters for each other in the event either of us should become incompetent to do so for ourselves. They were executed at our bank and under oath.

Those “Powers of Attorneys” are still kept in our bank safe deposit box…man’s laws says that they become null and void on the death of the party executing the “Power of Attorney…however…”

God’s laws as found in the Bible, tells us that we never die but simply pass through the veil between Heaven and earth and Join Jesus in our heavenly home. Death is cheated…

So when I act for June in her various charitable programs (or write poems for her on her website) having an Alzheimer’s awareness connection, I am doing so as June’s agent with her “Power of Attorney” and funding it with June’s share of our joint lifetime savings…

This permits me to do things for and in behalf of June here on earth that June could not otherwise do as a resident of Heaven.

And yes, I think I am really acting for June and carrying out her wishes with my forever “Power of Attorney”… her guidance through God’s influence in my life by way of the ever present Holy Spirit and the reflection of God’s love.

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"A Summary of June and Stan's Life Together"

June and Stan's weddng picture

(Wedding Picture August 16, 1952)

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June and I were both products of poor farm families, and raised during the "great depression" years...June and I became the last of the old fashioned "traditional families" in which June was in charge of the home (homemaker) and I was in charge of income production. June and I had a joint discretionary checking account. We jointly planned vacations and family activities...we were also the first in the history of our own two families to offer a college education (tuition paid) to those of our children who desired to better their own education.

In looking back at our life, June clearly had the toughest challenges as the "lady in charge of the home"...I remember a former neighbor and friend of June's telling me in later years, how much she admired June...how well organized June was and how this lady wished she could be more like June. June not only ran the home including the housekeeping, laundry, and meals, but also functioned as a wonderful mother, a grandmother and a wife.

June was also a very active force in our Redeemer Lutheran church where she pulled a very heavy oar... June served as a Women's Circle Chairwoman, taught Sunday School Class, was a Girl Scout leader, a member of the Church Board, served on Nominating committees, Nursing home visitor, Evangelism team member, Sunday Church Greeter, etc. 

June was noted for her smile...when June smiled even her eyes smiled and if one listened carefully, one might hear the angels sing.

June always managed to look fresh, sharp and beautiful. During the times and days of our early limited income, June made many of the children's clothes as well as some of her own clothing on her own sewing machine in order to assist with our then very tight family economy. June also served as the family barber and cut the children's hair...June was so proficient as a barber that she frequently received requests to cut some of the neighborhood children's hair. I really do not know how she did it all...

After our child raising years came to an end, (June and I have four children and 22 grandchildren) I took an early retirement from my administrative job with a large insurance company (State Farm) after 32 Years and then plunged full energy into a second career of forensic science consulting. This second career was spawned and inspired by my early days spent (4 years) with the Army at the Counter Intelligence Corp. Center in Baltimore and with my free time spent in the nearby  Baltimore Police Department's Identification Division...

June was my administrative assistant in our new life which quickly became a life of adventure...as my forensic business rapidly prospered, it required travel through out the United States, Canada and Europe...I was fortunate to be a part of a number of high profile cases including the Robert Kennedy Assassination...June traveled with me approx. 170 times on forensic science conferences that criss crossed the US, Canada and Europe...I was fortunate in being the chairman at 4 international conferences in the forensic sciences...London became June's favorite city...we participated in the first ever forensic science conference in the Soviet Union during the height of the cold war...June and I danced the night away in Moscow's Rossia Hotel...in a visit to Rome, June shook hands with Pope Paul VI during an audience...later during a conference at Oxford University, June and I lived in the old student housing of Christ Church College...what a wonderful life we had.

(Stan and June lost their first home in the western part of Fridley to the 1965 Fridley Tornadoes...they rebuilt their home in the eastern part of Fridley on a low hill in 1966...this is Stan's present home where he lives alone  with June's memories but assisted by LTC Aids.)

It was after another 20 years (2004) and at the age 77, as Alzheimer's took over our life, I retired a second time to devote full time to June's care...I was so richly blessed by having June and her unconditional love in my life for 56 years regardless of the final cruel impact of Alzheimer's!...I owe June and God and unending debt...

I have often described June and my life together as a "Divine appointment"...I think it was clearly more then a simple blessing...while I have also described it as "winning the lottery of life!"...it was God that handed us the winning tickets...thanks God!

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STAN'S NOTE: (Oct 2020) Since page created Oct. 2014, Approx. 7,700 Persons have visited this page!

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Reader's Comments

Judith Brownstein  - Buffalo, New York - (7 November 2014): "I love you... We are so different but your continued love for June draws us near." 

Bridie Breen - Manchester, United Kingdom - (7 November 2014): " I love the quotes in "Words from the heart" Stan, (References another page of poetry on June's site.) have a restful day celebrating a day special to June and you all."

Kathy Williams  - Huntsville, Texas - (7 November 2014):"Beautiful!."

Janice Kennedy  - Coon Rapids, Minnesota - (7 November 2014): "Happy Birthday up in Heaven, June. I miss you and think of you often!"

Lis Webster  - Bury, St. Edmunds, United Kingdom - (7 November 2014): "Very beautiful."

Allison Sauvlet - Toms River, New Jersey - (7 November 2014): "Happy birthday June."

Susanna Nicholos  - Catskill, New York - (7 November 2014):"Made me cry but beautiful."

Jennifer Foxhoven  - Minneapolis, Minnesota  - (7 November 2013):Simply lovely just like your love for June."

Vicki Cadogan  - Limerick, Ireland - (7 Novembeer 2014):"Happy birthday June."

Marsha McKneely Ault - Nacogdoches, Texas - (7 November 2014): "Beautifully written my friend."

Terry Shepherd - Warsaw, Indiana - (7 November 2014):  "I love that poem. I am having that read at my funeral. Thanks..."

Louise Ann Howard  - Batemans Bay, New South Wales, Australia - (7 November 2014):"Thinking of you mate. I know tomorrow is going to be tough but I hope you and family can celebrate someway that gives you great comfort. My own mother died at the age of 75 and my mother in law I think 85. Both went to heaven in 2005. My mother was born in 1930. Thus only a few years younger than your June. Mothers and wives play a very big role in life and yes when tomorrow begins without them we find it hard at times. May we all know they are in a better place than us have all they need and far more than we can see. I know June would say please do not shed a tear for me those tears are for you. God's timing is perfect one day our souls will met again. I am sure we get whispers from heaven to tell all will be fine just do your best keep safe hold on to the Hand of your Heavenly Father until we all are together again...Stan I wish I had words that would take away those tears but I know you you will shed a tear or two it is only natural. I just remember when it rains and as a child I could hear it on the tin roof. I would say to myself God is crying again some one has been taken home. When I see sunshine I feel God is smiling encouraging us to keep doing our best and when the clouds are there you know God will help you through any storm. Love to you and all your family my dear mate and friend. Louise."

John Stevens  - Twin Falls, Idaho - (7 November 2014): "Beautiful life. It took me a while to read. Beautiful wife." 

Diane Forth-Eglon  - Birmingham, United Kingdom - (8 November 2014): "Happy Birthday Beautiful June! You are an amazing woman and your lovely husband sure is strong and brave - well you have been brave too, living with that monster Alzheimer's. May you have a beautiful day, singing with the angels. Bless you both...That was so beautiful Stan. It comforted me to know that Gordon is not lonely and pining for me but enjoying life in Heaven."

Bonnie Seip  - Ottsville, Pennsylvania - (8 November 2014): "Beautiful Stan... Thank You for sharing...Happy Birthday to our " Special Angel " June" in Heaven ..."

Bernadette Barbour - Jupiter Island, Florida - (8 November 2014): "Happy Birthday in Heaven June. I'm sending Stan a card from You!... (Stan's Note: Bernadette attached a "Winnie the Pooh card that reads: "If there comes a day when We can't be together, Keep me in our heart, I''ll stay there forever.")

Kim Casper Turney  - Watertown, Wisconsin - (8 November 2014): "Thinking of you today, Stan. June's memory lives on as you continue to share her life with so many. Wish I could run to Minnesota to hear the performance and see the faces of those listening...And someday when I visit my daughter and son-in-law in Mankato, I would love to take a drive out to see you, and June's resting place"

Bernie Dols - Rochester, Minnesota - (9 November 2014):"Very touched by June's Message. Lost my wife in June. I took the liberty of letting it be a message to me and my family from my wife. Thank you Stan."

Lin Schmidt  - Anoka, Minnesota - (9 November 2014): "I read this in today's paper.  What a tribute to June again, Stan!, Lin"

Anabela Loureiro  - Toronto, Ontario, Canada - (11 November 2014): "Beautiful Stan!"

Rev. Erma Yates  - Prior Lake, Minnesota - (6 December 2014): "The poem!!  Sounds like exactly what June would say!  So much in fact, that I wondered if she came to visit you!  The poem brought tears and I hurt in my heart for the two of you... so in love... then having to part... yet only for a season.  I know that you are ready.. and that's okay.  Joy cometh in the morning!!!So much love for you two."

Jackie Irving  - Liverpool, United Kingdom (17 June 2016): "JI love your version Stan ...the words in both poems make me teary...they really get to my heart ...I love the way you have dedicated it to June ...the words are so apt."

 

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June's Passing

June 1994

After an almost 12 year journey into the shadows of Alzheimer's, early one morning in late October 2008, an exhausted June felt God's gentle touch on her shoulder and heard the words: "Come Home June!" As June lay like a wounded soldier on a battlefield, it was God's Angels that ushered June into a Heavenly Kingdom to the sound of a chorus of Angels...and into June's new home, a "Mansion on the Hilltop", where there is no pain, nor illness nor tears...June's funeral notice as published in the Minneapolis Star in October 2008 can be seen on this website in the drop down menu under the "In Memoriam" label - just Click on:

"June K. (Rolstad) Berg - In Memoriam"