Angel of Okinawa; Chapter 27

 

Angel of Okinawa; Chapter 27

© 2024 by Amber Wright

Things did happen pretty fast.

First, Gideon got our immigration papers and the commanding officer himself signed his name to our papers for our sponsor in case we were stuck in Hawaii without money.

Next, we bought all of our tickets, one way.

Dai danced around the living room when we had our tickets in hand. “We get to fly! We get to fly!” she squealed and clapped her hands high in the air. “We get to fly like a bird!”

I echoed her enthusiasm. This was going to be my very first flight. And I was going to love it!

^{· · ·}

The goodbyes were tough to the family but they understood. I was glad to know that they still believed in us, that they didn’t think we were traitors.

I hugged Meema’s mother tightly. “I love you! I’m going to miss you.”

I felt her wrinkles under my cheek and a lump rose in my throat. Would this be the last time I would ever see her?

I passed my hugs around as we stood in the Kita Airfield the day of our flight, the family all around and wiping their eyes.

Our little minister was there too, smiling and shaking everyone's hands warmly—a man I would remember all of my days.

“Gather your things, my daughters.” Meema spoke in a husky voice. “We leave now.”

At the edge of the group, standing a little ways away, stood the children who had beat me up.

I had already forgiven them the day they almost killed me. It wasn’t their fault they hated me. I was American, blood sister to the invaders who had killed their relatives.

“Meema,” I tugged her sleeve and whispered. “I have another goodbye to say.”

Meema nodded and held tightly to Dai’s hand, walking to the steps that led up into the plane.

I walked over to the children with a smile and stopped before the boy who had struck me first.

He gulped and stared at me, and I could tell he was too scared to speak.

I spoke first in a chirpy voice. “Did you all get my gifts I sent you?”

I had Gideon and Alex deliver small items I couldn’t bring with me to give to those children, my old friends.

“Yes, and I thank you.” He handed me an orange poppy. “To remember me by…friend.”

“Thank you and goodbye, friend.” I gave him a firm handshake.

“Thank you for the picture book,” a girl gave me another orange poppy. “I love you!”

She buried her head onto my shoulder. I heard her sob and another lump rose in my throat.

They were still my friends…after all.

It was amazing what love could do. It could move mountains of hate by one little kind stone.

I smiled inside.

No matter where I would go or what I would become, I would still throw my little stones of love to whoever would have it…until the end of my days.

I hugged the girls and little boys and shook the older boys’ hands as each one of them gave me an orange poppy. My favorite flower.

When I got to the last one, I smiled back at them all. “You will never know how much this means to me, friends!”

I started off to the plane.

“I will remember you all wherever I may go. Now, please remember me and the love that I gave to you. And always remember, God’s love will cure all pain, inside out!”

They were waving at me, all of them.

“I love you all, goodbye!” I waved at them as I stood at the steps of the plane.

The girls heads were bowed, crying, and even the 12 year-old boy was wiping his face.

I knew love had won one more time.

I smiled one last time with my feet on the soil of Okinawa, wondering if I would ever step on it again. My first days had been here. I was born here. I had lived here for 15 years.

I felt the Okinawan breeze blow on my face.

I felt the Okinawan sun shine down on my head, my arms, my hands.

I felt the thick humidity in the air.

I breathed in the Okinawan smells.

I scraped my shoes against the Okinawan ground one more time. I hadn’t realized it would be so hard…to leave my birthplace.

“Angel?” Horiya looked down at me from the plane. “We’re leaving and have to get buckled.”

Dai was peeking around Horiya. “It’s fun up here!” she grinned.

I began to climb up the steps.

At the doorway I waved one more time.

To Okinawa.

True, I have lived here all of my life, I reflected as I glanced around at everything. But really, I knew in this moment, my life has only begun.

Love would lead the way.

I just had to follow.

Inside the plane, I placed my small bag in the shelf above me and sat down and buckled up.

I heard the engine roar to life and felt a slight rumble beneath my feet. The plane moved.

Then, we moved faster…and faster.

I gasped in awe as I felt the plane tip up.

Soon nothing but air was beneath my feet.

What a crazy, wonderful feeling to be in the high blue blues alongside the crisp white clouds floating past.

“This is heaven!” I murmured, despite my popping ears.

I craned my neck to look out of the window beside me, and saw the blue and green form of my home below me.

The place where I had dreamed.

The place where I had lived.

The place where I had grown up and went through the war.

I smiled to myself, thinking about the ones who had given me the bouquet of orange poppies in my hands. They were down there still, my friends.

I was glad I had let love lead the way down there. I was glad I had turned my obstacle into an opportunity which love had given me.

Inside I burst with the thought that hit me. I was the victor. Love had won my war.

Now, let love lead the way to Hawaii! I smiled a sort of dreamy smile and couldn't wait to land.