Our family was flying on a Make-A-Wish trip for my sick son — halfway through the flight, the pilot said, “Mike, there’s one thing about this trip that you and your parents know nothing about.”

handmade boarding pass has traveled in the cockpit of every Wish flight operated by our program.”

Dana opened the cockpit door just far enough to lift a laminated paper.

Even from 12 rows away, I could see the faded blue airplane.

“It reminds us that hope often begins before takeoff,” the captain said.

I leaned back into the continue reading …