High Flight by John Gillespie McGee, Jr.

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, — and done a hundred things

You have not dreamed of—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 nor even eagle flew—

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.

June 14, 2013   Graduation Day at the Cottage

Mike slept peacefully though the night. When I awakened, I held his hand and whispered, once again, how much I love him. I told him that I would be ok, that he had taken such good care of me. He was breathing slow and gently. He was relaxed and resting.

Then, I joined my brother for breakfast. When I went back in, Mike's earthly life was over. In whatever reality exists in heaven, he is now walking and laughing with his own father, my father, sister Janelle, and he's running to the arms of his Savior.

So, join us in thanking our God! Mike is soaring on the Highest Flight.