Goodbye Moon
As the moon crept slowly across the sky, Leo could see its reflection dancing across the moving waters below. It had been a long battle, some wins, some heavy defeats; causalities had been taken, lives had been saved…through it all he knew he never walked alone.
As the thoughts of his life drifted in and out of his mind, the moon took its last spin and submitted itself willingly to the morning sun that was sent to overtake the dark. At first, it was just a whisper of the promise of daylight. Leo watched in silence and awe as the dark black sky turned ever increasingly dark blue and then light. Its timing was set by a clock that only the creator could know, the darkness was almost wholly overwhelmed within moments. The breathtaking beauty of the presentation of night to day caused Leo to ponder how many times had he missed this demonstration of the creator? The bright display of yellows, blues, oranges, dark purple, and a red that looked like fire dancing in the distance screamed of the new day that was upon him. The story that the earth told at that moment was ever present in his small cockpit; the creation of heaven and earth before him clearly divided; sang of the reality of his Lord.
He gave a heavy sigh; he knew his time on earth was complete. He had run the race that had been set before him. His imperfections and the “what should have beens,” whispered like a clanging cymbal of regret in his ears. He shifted the toothpick in his mouth and made a clicking sound as he tried to sooth the sadness in his soul.
“Good bye moon, Leo said quietly.”
He brought the yoke of his plane towards him, and within a moment, he soared higher than the eagles; the waters below him became smaller, and the sky’s brilliant display became larger.
Leo gazed upon the beauty of creation in front of him and remembered his bride and her pretty smile; he would see her again soon. His thoughts ran quickly as he heard the familiar laughter of his daughters; it was like a melody he repeatedly played in his heart over the years. His once full home of life and action had become quiet and slow as he aged. He had missed the years gone by on so many occasions, a familiar pang of grief blew across the bow of his mind. But as soon as the wind blew, he was reminded of how blessed he had been. All of the years began to run on play like the old reel to reel he used to set up at the merriment of his small children, a memory of the smell of homemade popcorn wafted across his nose. Leo chuckled, he was forever grateful for his wife and her desire to adopt children; he had been allowed to live a life he never dreamed possible. Abundant years of the laughter of his family and friends, he lovingly tucked close to his heart. The faces of his grandchildren leisurely danced past the eyes of his memory, and he smiled with joy. Oh, how he loved them.
Life; he had lived, indeed. Good friends, good food, a house full of family on so many occasions, and of course good good bread. The regrets faded, and the memories of what he had been given overpowered him. Peace settled in like an embrace and he rested in everything that had been good and right in his 95 years of life.
Leo’s actual plane. Mollison, J. 2014, “Stories and illustrations of combat airplanes, missiles, and the people that flew them.” Featured story.
Leo had become lost in his thoughts and forgot he was flying but that oddly seemed ok. He looked down at the water that was becoming smaller and smaller and mused at how well his plane was doing at this height and speed. He knew the time had come to say farewell to what he had always known and step into his new home – the one where he had always desired to go. With a robust Marine Corp salute, Leo said his goodbye. He pulled the yoke of the plane even closer to his chest climbing higher and higher at altitudes unheard of by men. He heard in his ears a voice that was so familiar, it was the Commandant of the Corps. Leo snapped to attention, “Yes, sir he said with all the Marine fervor he could muster. A calm steady voice spoke back and gave Leo his clear landing orders. “Time to come, home son, you’ve done all that you were called to do. You landing pad is ready.” As Leo let the landing gear down, he looked back one last time, a tear fell slowly down his cheek and down to his collar.
Mollison, J. 2014, “Stories and illustrations of combat airplanes, missiles, and the people that flew them.” Featured story.
“I love you,” he said to what was now just the wind.
“Well done good and faithful servant,” he heard over his headpiece, “well done.” Leo could see the landing pad ahead of him and with the skill of an expert he landed with ease, “best landing ever,” he said to himself. As he stepped up with painless grace, he almost jumped from his seat to the exit! Climbing down, he thought, “old knees haven’t felt this good in years.” He slid the rest of the way down, landing on the ground with a bounce.
He took it all in – the most beautiful greens, blues, reds, oranges, and colors unknown greeted him. In the distance, he could see them coming…his family of long ago running with such joy towards him and behind them a towering figure; stately in his gate, came ever closer. The Commandant, his Lord, was coming near.
Leo was no longer in the home of his earthly birth…he was now in the presence of his King. He removed his lid and bowed down low. He was surrounded by love, peace, and more joy than he had ever known. He was free; he was finally home...
