The Other Sacrifice

The Other Sacrifice

Giving one’s life for country

is the ultimate – but not the only – sacrifice.

What of the soldier who leaves his bride

mere days or weeks after they have wed?

What of the heartache

of that final embrace before he boards –

looking back,

not knowing if he will ever see her again?

Or the soldier who misses the birth of his child–

her first words and steps.

Only to see them at a later time,

recorded, as if he were some distant relative?

What of the sacrifice of the loved one who waits behind?

Anxious to see that sea bag on her porch again –

Wishing for it, dreaming it, yet awakening alone.

What of the wounded soldier who heals,

but lives quietly with residual pain

the rest of his mortal days?

Or the soldier depressed?

The one who returned home unharmed,

yet paralyzed remains some 40 years hence?

Or the soldier who can no longer celebrate Independence Day?

The fireworks too reminiscent

of so many roadside bombs, or hand grenades.

Or the soldier plagued by nightmares . . .

the one still losing sleep, waking nightly in a cold sweat –

only to realize (thankfully) that he’s at home.

What of the soldier who loses

not life nor limb, but love?

Two people separated, a marriage ended;

casualties of time and space.

Perhaps the soldier never had to go to war.

But still, he gave his youth, his time;

things to him which never can be returned.

And what of the soldier who returns from war

to picketers with signs and sneers?

Unappreciated by the very ones he served.

No, not all those who give their life for their country

return in a flag-draped casket.

Many give their lives in tiny little fragments –

sometimes unaware, even themselves, that part of them is gone.

Their lives forever changed – so our lives too.

And for that we thank them

with all sincerity of heart.

Boo!

Just thought we'd post some pics of Halloween. Dana and I even dressed up. Shocker!


'Army guys.' We were planning on painting the baby's face too, but he was NOT in the mood.

Batman

Harry Potter

Fairy

Darth Maul

A 'Sevvie'

Now I know that it is mathematically impossible for me to be the mother of a seventh grader, but somehow that is where we are at this year with Alden. I was so worried about it, but he really seems to be blossoming in maturity and confidence and I am excited for him. He also passed the 100 lb. mark last month and was so excited (boys are so different from girls - I also passed that milestone in 7th grade, but I don't remember getting any pleasure from it). Here he is on the first day of school posing with our new 'lawn decoration.'

Ward Camp

At first when I saw that our ward campout was scheduled for the last weekend before school started, I thought, "What the heck?" But it ended up being so much fun and a great way to end the summer. There was a little lake (pond), and so we went canoeing. That is something I could really get into! Dana and I even took on a few of the other couples, and we were so in sync that we were unbeatable! There was a zip line too, but it broke before any of us got to try it. There were leeches in the water, and one kid from our ward got one on his leg - didn't seem to phase him at all. Ugh! The kids got to try popcorn cooked over the fire. We also saw a moose and her baby and some deer while we were there, which was pretty cool. Benny hated sleeping in the tent, however. Hmm.........Why am I NOT surprised?

Capitol Reef & Goblin Valley

We have been so busy this summer trying to get our house ready to sell, that we didn't have time or money to do a big vacation. But we decided to get away for a few days at least. We hiked and picked fruit in Capitol Reef and played in Goblin Valley. It was a great little getaway. It was far enough away to feel like we went somewhere, but not so far that we were driving forever. The motel had a pool, and we ate out. Those seem to be the only two criteria for our kids to think of it as vacation, so it was a hit.

Things I've Learned From My Toddler...............

Here are some things that I have learned recently from watching Ben:

• You're never too young to pick the marshmallows out of Lucky Charms cereal


• or drink milk straight from the jug


• or play 'odds or evens' with the hairs on Daddy's legs


• or punch your brother and make him cry


• or mow the lawn

• or putter around in the garden
  

• or enjoy roasting a marshmallow

• or rock out to the Muzak playing at the grocery store
• or to 'beat box' (thanks, cousin Hayden!)
• or throw your dirty clothes (as well as clean ones) in the laundry hamper
• or zone out when the TV is on
• or play miniature golf

Basically, this kid tries to do anything he sees anyone else doing! He's a crackup..............

I love Summer!!!

I keep waiting to post thinking that I'll have cute pix or video to add, but don't ever seem to get around to that lately. So here goes (without any visuals) . . . Dana took the week off last week and we played! It was so great. We went to Lagoon, and while it's no Disneyland, it at least provided some diversion and a few thrills.

We also went swimming at our neighbor's pool and to Raging Waters with David and Connie and their kids. We had lots of fun until Christian slipped by the kiddie pool and hit the back of his head on the cement. Since it was bleeding, we took him to Instacare. They felt like he needed staples. The poor kid. We're sitting there in the waiting room and he asks me, "How come all the doctor stuff happens to me?" (Incidentally, his asthma has really kicked in since it happened, and we have been up every night with him since to do breathing treatments...........)

Luckily, though, he was feeling up to the rest of that evening's plans, which were to go and spend some more time with cousins and aunts and uncles. As we were roasting marshmallows outside and the kids were doing sparklers, I just thought, "this feels like summer." It felt good.

We are loving having no set schedule (and no homework) and just doing our thing this summer.