Mighty Warrior by Ian Kyle Packo

Mighty Warrior 

by Ian Kyle Packo

(Based on Ephesians 6:10-17)

I want to be a great and mighty warrior; my voice filled with power and authority - scattering the enemy, my blood burning like fire with passion, justice, and joy, my limbs filled with strength to lift up those around me and carry any burden, my suit of armor shining like the sun, deflecting the weapons of the enemy, my shield great and broad, protecting the helpless, my sword sharp and swift, striking down the enemy. But....

I found that; my sword is bent and blunt, my shield split and too heavy, my armor rusted and too big, my skin is like tissue paper, my bones like glass, my blood has turned to ash, my voice is hollow, a silent scream, a rattle of death.

But the King came to me, the only light my blind eyes could see. He knelt in the mud beside me. I was helpless to stop him as he removed my helmet. He lifted a water skin to my lips. Reluctantly, I started to drink, then desperately, until he removed it for fear I might choke.

Gently he tried to take my sword, but I struggled against him. Slowly I became willing and released it to him. Gently he tried to take my shield, but again I struggled against him. Slowly I became willing and released it to him. Gently he tried to take my armor, but again I struggled against him. Slowly I became willing and released it to him. Naked and helpless I lay before him.

He bound my wounds.He removed his armor and clothes, and dressed me in them. They shone like the sun and were well fitted. He gave me his sword, faster than light, sharper than a razor. He gave me his shield, stronger than the earth and light as a feather. His blood he poured into my veins, his voice put into my mouth. His servants came and returned him to his kingdom.

Now I fight for the King; his life burns as fire in my veins, with his voice I speak and shout. With his strength I lift burdens up to him and carry the weak and wounded into his presence. With his shield I defend those around me. With his sword I drive away the enemy. Until my king calls for me to rest in his palace.

by
Ian Kyle Packo
December 15, 1991 – June 26, 2017 
(If you use this poem please credit my son Ian.)

Mighty Warrior by Ian Packo

(Based on Ephesians 6:10-17)

(I scanned the insert from Ian's memorial service. The character image is Ichigo Kurosaki  from a Japanese anime show called, Bleach.)

Ian Kyle Packo

(This is the final draft of Ian's obituary written by my brother-in-law)

Ian Kyle Packo

December 15, 1991 - June 26, 2017

Ian Kyle Packo, age 25 of Robbinsdale. Survived by his parents, David and Marilyn Packo; siblings, David, Allen, Anna, Daniel and Caleb; grandmother, Gladys Berger; aunts and uncles, Stephen Packo, Bill Berger, Jim Berger, Charlene Boisjolie, Debra Olson, Carolyn Foreman, Larry Berger and Michelle Johnson, as well as many cousins and friends.

Ian Kyle Packo at age 25 walked into the arms of Jesus on June 26th, 2017. Although friends and family are stunned at the rapidity of his passing from an aggressive strain of the influenza virus, Ian kept his appointment with God and is strolling side by side with his creator and guiding light.

Ian loved God, loved his family, loved his friends and loved his job. His joyful spirit touched the lives of everyone around him. His cheerful smile and positive energy will be missed by all and his encouraging faith in humanity and his ability to see the best in people always left us in awe.

Ian had a remarkable passion for life and learning. He didn't just read a book he'd read it AND the sequel AND the prequel, then he'd research it, dissect it and find like-minded people and they'd discuss it and break it down until every angle had been thoroughly exhausted.

The mastery at adapting and overcoming life's many issues, both minor and major was just business as usual for Ian. he unknowingly became the barometer by which others compared themselves. Whether it was co-workers in the Turkey barns of Swanville or students in college in St. Cloud, or even his buddies battling villains in video games, Ian was the guy by which others measured their abilities.

To his brothers and sister, Ian was both a teacher and a fellow student. Caleb, Daniel, Anna, Allen and David had both a mentor and tormentor in their big brother, but most of all they had the best big brother ever created. Anna Rose nailed it when she said on Facebook: "He always reminded me that I'm skinny. He always threatened to beat up the boys I liked. He always giggled. He never cried. He was strong. He was stubborn. He was genuine. He was the best big brother anyone could ask for."

The family would like to thank the 4th floor ICU staffs at North Memorial and the University of Minnesota Hospitals for their valiant efforts to save Ian's life.

Celebrating the life of Ian Kyle Packo

Ian Kyle Packo , at age 25, walked into the arms of Jesus on June 26th, 2017.  

Although friends and family are stunned at the rapidity of his passing from an  aggressive strain of the influenza virus,  Ian kept his appointment with God and is strolling side by side with his creator and guiding light.  
Ian loved God, loved his family, loved his friends and loved his job.  His joyful spirit touched the lives of everyone around him.  His cheerful smile and positive energy will be missed by all and his encouraging faith in humanity and his ability to see the best in people always left us in awe.  Ian had a remarkable passion for life and learning.  He didn't just read a book,  he’d read it AND the sequel AND the prequel, then he’d research it, dissect it and find like-minded people, and they’d discuss it and break it down until every angle had been thoroughly exhausted.  
The mastery at adapting and overcoming life’s many issues, both minor and major was just business as usual for Ian. He unknowingly became the barometer by which others compared themselves. Whether it was co-workers in the Turkey barns of Swanville, Mn or students in college in St. Cloud, Mn or even his buddies battling villains in video games, Ian was the guy by which others measured their abilities.  
To his brothers and sister, Ian was both a teacher and a fellow student.  Caleb, Daniel, Anna, Allen and David had both a mentor and tormentor in their big brother, but most of all they had the best big brother ever created. Anna Rose nailed it when she said on Facebook: “He always reminded me that I'm skinny. He always threatened to beat up the boys I liked. He always giggled. He never cried. He was strong. He was stubborn. He was genuine. He was the best big brother anyone could ask for”.

The Spurious Nib Hiatus

I am taking a break from the Spurious Nib. My  25 year old son Ian  had a brief, fatal bought with influenza last week. Sepsis set in early Saturday morning and less that 48 hours later Ian and Jesus walked into heaven. Ian was an ox, a big, strong, electrician.

This is a picture of Ian and my Dad many years ago. Ian Loved God. He love His family and friends. And Ian loved being an electrician.

Psalm 73:24-26
You guide me with your counsel,
leading me to a glorious destiny.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything on earth.
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
he is mine forever.

1915 Saxon Six

The 1915 Saxon Six:

And as always, for a bit of a smile check out my other site for some nonsense! 

Cofefe

Sorry, I could not resist jumping on the "cofefe" band wagon over at The Spurious Nib Volume 19.
When I first saw the presidential infamous "cofefe"tweet I immediately thought of a Desi Arnez Sr. kind of tune like Babalu wherein everyone yells, "cofefe."
And I was trying too hard to be clever. So here are the words I was using in my musing cofefe riff:

oxytone- word bearing acute accent on last syllable
paranym- euphemism; word whose meaning altered to conceal evasion
cacology- bad choice of words or faulty pronunciation
querken- to stifle; to suffocate

Thanks to http://phrontistery.info  I have been able to find an amazing collection of archaic words!