BIRTH OF WINGS — Shift & Lise

  1. Elisabeth was four years old the first time she ran into Shift’s arms, crying, “Mama!”—a gift Shift would always be grateful for to Elisabeth’s foster parents.
  2. She took Elisabeth to the park for a fierce tickle war, a climb on the jungle gym, then finally the swings.
  3. “How high?” Shift asked.
  4. “Right in the clouds!”
  5. Shift laughed and pushed Elisabeth higher and higher. She could have said, “Don’t leave me. I need you here.” But she didn’t. She would’ve gladly given her wings.
  6. “Mama, I’m flying!”
  7. In that moment, everything Shift had ever done for her was worth it.