The Duncan Family: retreat

Thursday, July 08, 2010

retreat

Thanks to the Army we got to have a free weekend at the Marriot Bay in Florida for a marriage retreat. Including a wonderful room, free childcare and all meals! It was a nice getaway with the family!

2 comments:

Koontz Family said...: LOVE IT!!! Miss V looks so big walking towards you on the beach. We were able to go to a marriage retreat a few months ago and loved it! By the 3rd day Emma was not so fond of the childcare though :); Thursday, July 08, 2010
Briana, Oliver and Sophie Stolley said...: You are inspiring me to 1) go to a marriage retreat and 2) take more videos! I love it!; Thursday, July 08, 2010

Military Wife

I never wore the uniform, no medals on my chest.
The band, it doesn't play for me, I am not among “the Best.”
I do not march in cadence; I do not rate salute,
I stand among the silent ranks, our devotion absolute.
If you've not worn my shoes, you do not know my story.
I live a life of sacrifice, my reward a private glory.
I've wept many silent nights away,
and I've kept the home fires burning.
I've worried and I've waited, as world events were churning. I've moved more times than you could fathom,
left more people than you've known.
I've planted gardens 'round the world,
very few that I've seen grown.
I've grieved with new-made widows,
and had my share of scares -- when a ship or plane or man was down, and all I had were prayers.
I'm not asking for your sympathy, (although appreciation can be nice) I did it quite on purpose --I chose to sacrifice.
I'll tell you a secret now, one you'd never guess.
About the one glory that is mine,
it's just enough -- no more, no less.
When you and I stand together as our national anthem plays, I'll fill with reminiscences of how I spent those days.
I'll know the pain and joys again,
I'll know that freedom isn't free,
I'll know I've helped to pay the price –
and that the anthem plays for me.

Elizabeth Soutter Schwarzer
Marine Wife