Sunday

Am I really nearer to God? I'm thinking Neil is.... with an added post script.





Having flown literally thousands of times, being up in the clouds still simply amazes me.
Taking off from the Tampa Bay a/p I can see across the bay to where I live and the Gulf of Mexico to the west,
off in the distance. 
 The sky is clear and one can see for miles.
As we begin to climb I'm thinking in three  days the entire area will be filled with storm clouds from the approaching Isaac. I find myself saying a silent prayer, "Please God don't let the area be damaged too much from the winds your sending"





 Once over the Gulf heading west for Houston the clouds turn stormy and the  turbulence gets shaky but the flight is smooth and I can't take my eyes from the window of the cabin.  I just love it up there in the sky!


 Once the altitude of the plane is up in  cruising speed my mind always go's back to a poem my parents taught me when very small.     


High Flight
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, or ever 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.
— John Gillespie Magee, Jr





 Oh how the clouds take on different shapes with each passing mile.
My second plane this day flew north to Oklahoma City and the clouds again changed forms and turned into balls of cotton.





And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
As I sit gazing out the window, something inside of me says
 If I could get that window open I surly could
Put out my hand, and touch the face of God.

 On the date of Neil Armstrong's death, August 25th, 2012, this poem is a perfect to the man who touched the moon and the world's hearts and minds. 

 RIP Neil. 

I'm adding a post script to this post,  Friday night Aug 31st, a blue moon can be seen and is  sure to be savored by NASA fans, as it comes on the same day that astronaut Neil Armstrong is being laid to rest in a private ceremony. Armstrong, who was the first person to walk on the moon, died on Aug. 25 after suffering from complications related to heart surgery.

"This Blue Moon that Slooh will explore Friday night is somewhat rare, but not as rare as the courage and talent of the late Neil Armstrong, the first human to set foot on our nearest celestial neighbor," astronomer and Slooh editor Bob Berman said in a statement on Slooh's Facebook page. "To honor him, Slooh will explore the Sea of Tranquility with its Canary Island 20-inch telescope, live, and have guests who will reveal some of the lesser-known secrets of that historic 1969 event. I think many of our visitors will be in for quite a surprise."

It appears as if the moon wants to send him off with a memorable goodbye--or perhaps welcome him home.

I'm linking up to








16 comments:

Anonymous said...

A great piece in memory.... love your pictures Sis!

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

Beautiful Sandy!
You seem so at peace flying.
I'm not at ease about flying at all.
Your photos are gorgeous.

I'm wondering about your knitting? Did it travel with you --with no problems...or did you have to check it in with your luggage?

...have a blessed time with family in Oklahoma! Not too far from me, now.
Pat

Gail said...

Beautiful pictures and a touching tribute to a great man.

Susan said...

What a lovely tribute and beautiful photos to go with it.

Jenny said...

What beautiful writing. Be safe!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

This is such a lovely tribute to neil Armstrong! This poem also reminds me of the Challenger spcae shuttle disaster as the then President Reagan read it at the memorial service.

I love to fly and look at our beautiful country for the bairplane windows. I loved all of your photos,

Hoping the hurricaine does not cause too much damage or loss of life!

anitamombanita said...

Everything about this post was very cool! Loved the poem, the photos and the thoughts!

Annesphamily said...

What a beautiful tribute to an outstanding man who loved the Lord and honored him while walking on the moon! Thanks for the beautiful photos and wonderful share!

Lori said...

beautiful!

hjdbedfb said...

Wow :) Really nice photographs and I love your poetic tribute to Neil Armstrong :D
Amy x
http://dontfeedthebirdsplease.blogspot.co.uk/

carol l mckenna said...

Fantastic photography ~ do hope all is safe from Isaac ~ (A Creative Harbor)

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

Lovely tribute. I love OKC, have been there for the NRHA finals, great people, wonderful horses...

ellen b said...

Lovely tribute and lovely poem...

21 Wits said...

A lovely tribute, and the most amazing photos.

VBR said...

Such an eloquent post for letter O.

Thanks for sharing with us.

Unknown said...

Oh that last pic is just gorgeous!