Thursday, November 30, 2006

Airplanes and Heart Attacks

I'm about to go on my very first plane ride. :)

My grandfather has had a severe heart attack and is in unstable/critical condition. Fact is, he might and is likely to die. I've never met him. Hence why I am going on a plane ride.

Grandpa is 66 years old and lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. we're taking a flight from Denver, Colorado to Atlanta, Georgia. From Atlanta we head for Indi.

It'll be an approximately 7-hour flight, total, starting at 7 am. Meaning we have to be there at 5 for check-ins and such. Meaning we have to leave for Denver at 1 am. 5 hours and counting.

We (Mom, brother and I) will be staying in Indi for about 9 days, at my Uncle Jeff's house.

I'm nervous and excited about the plane ride. I'm absolutely terrified of heights, but everyone has told me it's a load of fun.

I'm praying constantly for my Granddad. I don't want to lose him when I've never or barely met him, but I know it may just be time for him to go.

Unfortunately, I'm going to miss a week of school and two Children's Classes. I'm going to be surrounded by unfamiliar faces and unknown relatives, in a city I've never seen before. I'm crossing my fingers that I may find a Baha'i community nearby - and perhaps attend a class or meeting there.

the Baha'is in my community are a constant uplifting influence. they encourage me and hold my hand while I pray.

Allah'u'abha!

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Oh God, My God! I have set out from my home, holding fast unto the cord of Thy love, and I have committed myself wholly to Thy care and Thy protection. I entreat Thee by Thy power through which Thy didst protect Thy loved ones from the wayward and perverse, and from every contumacious oppressor, and every wicked doer who hath strayed far from Thee, to keep me safe by Thy bounty and Thy grace. Enable me, then, to return to my home by Thy power and Thy might. Thou art, truly, the Almighty, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting.

Baha'u'llah