Why Can't I Fly

1/19/09

Why can’t I fly?

“Momma, “why can’t I fly?
Judy looked at her 7 year old son in astonishment. “Because you were born a human, not a bird,” she answered.
“But momma,” insisted Jay, “I want to fly.”
“People don’t always get what they want,” she explained.
“Why not, Momma?”.
“Because, they just don’t,” she replied in an exasperated tone. “Now run along and play while I finish hanging my wash on the line.”
Jay walked away with his head down, kicking the dust up as he walked. He didn’t always believe everything adults said. He wanted to fly and he would find a way.
Jay walked up the hill behind their house, and plopped down on his stomach in the warm grass. He lay there watching the birds overhead. If they can fly, why can’t I? Jay watched carefully as he saw several buzzards glide effortless across the sky. They didn’t even need to move their wings to soar and glide and swoop. It looked like such fun.
That’s what I need, Jay decided. I need big long wings. Jay got up and brushed the grass and twigs off his clothes and started back down the hill.
He walked to where his mother was working and asked, “Momma, will you make me a pair of wings?”
Judy looked back at her inquisitive son and smiled. “Honey, I can’t make wings that will let you fly. Only God can make wings.”
Jay thought for a minute, then said, “Then, I’ll ask God to make me wings.” He looked so serious. How could she convince this determined boy of hers that he would never be able to fly? “You should only ask God for what is necessary,” she told him.
“But Momma, wings are necessary for me to fly.”
“But it is not necessary that you fly” she explained.
“But it is Momma” Jay insisted. “I’m going back up the hill to talk to God.”
Judy watched as her headstrong young son trudged back up the steep hill. He never gives up on anything.
Fifteen minutes later, Jay came down the hill with a big smile on his face. “Momma,” he said. “I asked God to give me wings so I can fly.”
“And did God answer you?”
“Yes, Momma,” he said. “He told me by Christmas next year, I would have a beautiful pair of snow white wings and I could fly up to see him.”
Judy was stunned; She was afraid to ask another question. She turned back to the clothes line as tears streamed down her cheek.