When I was in Washington in March, my mom and I were talking about poetry and what we would read at my grandfather’s funeral. This is one that she suggested and I just found it on the Internet.

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, â???? and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of â???? wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air. . . .

Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or ever eagle flew â????
And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
–John Gillespie Magee, Jr (a RCAF officer killed in WWII)

My grandfather was a Navy pilot in WWII, flew with United Airlines, and used to take my brother and I up in his plane when we were little. Believe me, this fits well.

My father called about 15 minutes ago to tell me that my grandfather had passed away in his sleep.

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant, Lloyd.? Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming.? Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light.? Amen.

Thank you to everyone who has been keeping me and my family in prayer.? Please continue to keep us in prayer, especially my grandma, my mother, and her siblings.

As for how I’m doing, I was completely calm when I got the phone call and I’m feeling like every second is eroding away the calm like a chisel chipping away at stone.? I’ll be OK — just please pray for me right now because I’m really going to need it in the next couple of days.