Michael explained that he had kept those little wings for nearly fifty years. They reminded him of the stranger who carried him through smoke and freezing darkness. He placed them beside Dad’s silver keychain and said, “You gave me the chance to grow up, become a pilot, and build a family.” Dad couldn’t speak. He finally understood that his actions had changed far more lives than he had ever realized. The two men embraced again, and I watched my father cry with happiness.
For the first time, I understood why he had kept those wings close to his heart for so many years.
