There are moments in life when you are quietly asked to choose.
To step forward or hold back.
To trust or retreat.
To embrace the opportunity in front of you, even when fear is present.
To trust or retreat.
To embrace the opportunity in front of you, even when fear is present.
One of those moments came for me when I was invited to board a Vietnam-era TA-4 Skyhawk jet for a final tribute flight in honor of my father-in-law, Frank, whom we lovingly called Papa.
A Once in a Lifetime Invitation
The invitation came from Don Keating, Papa’s dear friend, business partner, and fellow aviator.
He told me, “I was one of Frank’s angels, so I should get to fly with him.”
Those words landed deeply.
I never imagined I would sit in a fighter jet, let alone for something so meaningful. In that moment, I had a choice. I could let fear take over, or I could step into something extraordinary.
Thankfully, I chose to go.
A Flight Filled with Meaning
This was not just a flight. It was a tribute.
Don had planned two passes over Mukilteo, where friends and family had gathered to honor Papa. The first would be a slow fly-by. The second, a “Missing Man” maneuver, a powerful and symbolic gesture of respect.
As we prepared to board, I learned more about the aircraft itself. This Skyhawk was not just any plane. It had been restored over five years by Don, Papa, and a skilled craftsman named Maj. It became an extraordinary warbird and the only privately owned TA-4 of its kind.
More than that, it was the last plane Papa ever owned. And the last plane he ever flew.
Even at 88 years old, he had taken to the skies in it.
What Kept Him Alive
That restoration project gave Papa something to live for.
As he used to say, it “kept his prop turning.”
It kept his mind engaged, his spirit alive, and his sense of purpose intact. For that, I will always be grateful.
His partnership with Don was built on trust, dedication, and a shared love of aviation. It was a reflection of what meaningful connection can look like.
A Life Fully Lived
Papa was also deeply connected to the people and places in his daily life.
For years, he dined at Ivar’s in Mukilteo, where he became part of their extended family. So much so that “Frank’s table” by the fireplace was reserved for him every night.
That simple ritual gave him something to look forward to. Even when getting dressed was difficult, he showed up. Dapper as ever.
He told stories. He laughed. He made people smile.
And he always ended with his signature toast, inspired by Manfred von Richthofen, also known as the Red Baron:
“Here’s to those who wish you well. All the rest can go to hell.”
He meant it. And he loved it.
The Experience of Flight
The moment we took off, I understood just how powerful this experience would be.
The speed, the force, the movement. It felt like sitting on a rocket. The physical sensation of 4.2 Gs, the rolls, the climbs, it was intense, exhilarating, and overwhelming all at once.
Yet beneath all of that, there was something quieter.
A deep sense of awe.
A recognition that I was part of something meaningful, something I would carry with me for the rest of my life.
A Final Farewell
As we approached Mukilteo, the plane slowed.
Below us, family and friends gathered. Larry led everyone in Papa’s favorite toast. As they raised their glasses, Don tipped the wings of the aircraft in a gesture only he and Papa could fully understand.
In that moment, I looked out and wished I could tell Papa about the experience.
He would have loved every detail.
Then came the final pass. A steep climb into the sky. A roll. And a quiet understanding.
We could not fly with him anymore.
So we continued forward, just as he would have wanted.
What Remains
Saying goodbye was bittersweet.
However, what remains is something deeper than loss.
I was given the gift of time with Papa. Time to love him, learn from him, and experience his way of being in the world.
He taught me to move forward one step at a time.
To stay engaged with life.
To embrace what is in front of me.
To stay engaged with life.
To embrace what is in front of me.
The Invitation
Life is temporary. We know this, yet we often forget.
If you want to live fully, you have to be willing to face that truth and still step forward.
Embrace the opportunity.
Face the fear.
Stay present with what matters.
Face the fear.
Stay present with what matters.
And perhaps most importantly, take the time to connect with those who came before you.
Our elders carry stories, wisdom, and experiences that can shape how we see our own lives. All it requires is a willingness to listen.
Where to Begin
You do not need a fighter jet to experience a meaningful moment.
You only need to notice what is in front of you.
The opportunities, the relationships, the choices.
They are already here.
The question is whether you are willing to embrace them.
