The Retreat was great!

We were escorted from the airport to the lodge by these guys, The Patriot Guard. Along the way at little towns and crossings we'd come across police, fire and ambulances parked and saluting us. The whole thing was very helpful, lots of classes on communication and some counseling and massages and energy work (which was really cool). Fun stuff in the afternoons and evenings. The whole week was great and being forced to talk to each other (no TV's in the rooms) was very helpful. Lots of crying in front of people we didnt know to well, but felt very close to by the end of the week.

The last day was the Native American warrior ceremony and sweat lodge which was very healing. We got smudged and walked around that circle in the grass and then came into it one couple at a time. The men dipped their hands in the first bowl of red clay to symbolize the blood of war and then we separated and walked the circle separately until we got to the bowls in the center. Red Eagle washed the mens hands and then helped the wives wash the rest of it off and said a blessing and then we walked out together and stopped at the fallen warriors display and most of the men prayed or cried. When we came out they dried our hands and hugged us. Then we went and changed for the sweat lodge. Dang, that was hot! I made it partway into the second round and then apparently passed out. I have a vague recollection of being dragged out and laid in the grass and several of the combat medic guys were fussing over me. I could hear people but i couldn't see or move, it was really weird, and I wonder now what would have happened if I'd stayed in. I outlasted one of the Marines though :-) The whole thing was wonderful and the ceremonies very spiritual and it was nice to have an end to the anger and sadness. I'm very happy to have my best friend back in my life, hopefully for good this time.

He's home!

He surprised me!! He was sitting at my desk when i came to work this morning! Something felt odd when i walked up the stairs, the voices seemed odd and then it got quiet. Everyone was hiding and watching. So after much hugging we went and got the kids out of their classes at school. They let us go right to their rooms and surprise them. The kids knew it was going to be soon, but we didn't know when for sure. He got in late last night but stayed in Seattle and came down on the airporter this morning. He'd been sitting at work chatting for nearly 2 hours before i came in. He's lucky I came in early :-)

checked out!

He called this morning and when i tried to call him back half an hour later the number didn't work. So I called the desk and all they could tell me was that he'd checked out of the barracks. He could be sitting in a line trying to finish paperwork or in a car on his way to the house. We have no idea!