Discovering That Her Child Was Born with a Disability, His Mother Signed Away Parental Rights Eleven Years Ago – This is a Statement That Sanka Personally Saw When He Delivered Personal Files to the Health Centre.

Learning that the child was born with a limp, his mother eleven years earlier had written a refusal letter. Sam Ives had seen that document himself when he was delivering personal files to the clinic. The nurse handed him a stack of folders, told him to follow, but the phone rang and she fled, waving him toward the clinic, saying, Youll manage on your own. She never imagined that, seeing his own surname on a file, Sam would open the folder and read his mothers denial.

In the orphanage, every child waited for parents, but Sam stopped waiting. He stopped weeping too. An iron shell settled over his heart, shielding him from others slights, loneliness, and indifference. The home, like any, had its customs. On the eve of New Year all residents penned letters to Father Christmas. The headmistress passed those letters to benefactors, who tried, as best they could, to grant the wishes. Some letters even reached an air squadron. Most children asked for the same miracle: to find a mum and a dad. Those who opened the letters were left puzzling over what gifts could satisfy such wishes.

One day, the squadrons chief engineer, Major Chapman, received such a note. He slipped it into his flight jacket pocket, intending to read it at home and discuss possibilities with his wife and daughter. At dinner that evening he remembered the letter, unfolded it, and read aloud, Dear adults, if you can, please give me a laptop. No need for toys or clothes. Everything we need is there. Through the internet I can find friends and perhaps even family. Below, in shy handwriting, was the signature: Sam Ives, 11.

Remarkable, his wife said, Kids are so clever nowadays. The internet can really connect them to everyone they need.

Their daughter, Hester, furrowed her brow, read the note again, and sighed. Father, she murmured, he isnt really hoping to find his parents. Hes not looking for them because they dont exist. The laptop is his lifeline out of solitude. He writes find friends or family. Strangers can become family. Lets take all the pennies from my piggy bank, buy him a laptop, and give it to him together.

The New Year celebration at the orphanage went on as usual: a performance, then Father Christmas and Mrs. Christmas lighting the tree, followed by donors handing out gifts. Occasionally some children were taken home for holidays. Sam, as always, expected nothing. He had grown used to seeing only the pretty girls receiving attention, while the boys were ignored. He had written the letter simply because everyone else did.

That evening, among the guests, a man in an aircrew uniform caught Sams eye. His heart fluttered, then he turned away, breathing silently. When Sam received a bag of sweets, he hobbled toward the exit.

Sam Ives! a voice called, and he turned. Standing behind him was the very aircrew officer. Sam froze, unsure how to act.

Hello, Sam, the officer said. We got your letter and want to give you a present. First, lets get acquainted. Im Andrew Wilkinson, but you can call me Uncle Andy.

I’m Aunt Natalie, said a striking woman beside him.

Im Hester, the girl chimed, smiling. Were the same age.

And Im Sam Obbrook, he replied, using the nickname hed adopted.

The girl tried to ask something, but the man handed Sam a box and said, This is for you. Come with us to a room where well show you how the laptop works.

They entered an empty hall where children did evening lessons. Hester demonstrated turning the laptop on and off, logging in, browsing the web, and signed Sam up for a social network. The officer sat nearby, offering occasional guidance. Sam felt warmth, strength, and protection radiating from them.

The girl chatted like a magpie, but Sam noted she wasnt whiny; she knew her way around the laptop and played sports. When they left, the woman embraced him; the faint scent of her perfume tickled his nose and eyes. Sam stood still for a heartbeat, then, unblinking, drifted down the corridor.

Well come back, promise! the girl shouted.

From that moment Sams life shifted. He no longer cared about nicknames or other childrens jokes. The internet offered endless help. Hed always been fascinated by aircraft; he learned that the first massproduced military transport was the Antonov An8, designed by Antonov, and that the An25 was a variant.

On weekends Uncle Andy and Hester visited. They sometimes went to the circus, played arcade machines, ate ice cream. Sam felt shy, embarrassed that they always paid for everything.

One bright morning the headmistress called him into her office. He entered and saw Aunt Natalie waiting. His heart lurched, his throat went dry.

Sam, the headmistress said, Natalie asks to take you out for two days. If you agree, Ill let you go.

Sam, today is Aviation Day. Uncle Andy is hosting a big celebration. Hes inviting you. Will you come?

Sam nodded eagerly, words lost.

Good, the woman replied, signing a form. Hand in hand, they left the office.

First they stopped at a large clothing store, bought him jeans and a shirt. Looking at his battered sneakers, Natalie led him to the shoe department. Finding the right size was a puzzle; Sams feet seemed different lengths.

Youll be fine, she said. After the celebration well visit an orthopaedic centre and order special bootsone with a custom sole so your legs are even, and youll barely limp.

Next they dropped by a barbershop, then home to fetch Hester. Sam stepped out of the orphanage for the first time, never having entered a family flat before. The scent of home, warmth, and something familiar wrapped around him. He shyly entered the living room, perched on the edge of the sofa, and gazed around. Directly ahead stood a massive aquarium, fish of every colour swimmingcreatures hed only ever seen on television.

Im ready, Hester said. Lets go, Sam, Mum will catch up.

They rode the lift down, walked to a car, and passed a sandpit where a boy shouted, Lamppost woman, lamppost man!

Hold on a second, Hester said, approaching the boy. In an instant she spun, and the boy tumbled into the sand.

Whats wrong with you? he asked, lying there. I was just joking.

Joke elsewhere, the girl replied.

The airfield was painted in bright colours. Uncle Andy met them, leading Sam to his aircraft. Sams breath caught when he saw the gleaming silver plane up close; his soul trembled at its power. Later, an airshow unfolded. People stared at the sky, waved, shouted joyfully. When Uncle Andys plane roared overhead, Hester waved and cried, Dads flying! Dad! Sam leapt clumsily, shouting, Dad! Look, dads flying! He didnt notice the girl who had fallen silent, watching her mother wipe away tears.

After dinner, Andy sat beside Sam, draped an arm over his shoulders.

You know, he said, we believe everyone should grow up in a family. Only within a family can you truly learn love, protect each other, and feel loved. Would you like to be part of ours?

A tight knot rose in Sams throat, choking his breath. He pressed close to the man and whispered, Dad, Ive always waited for you.

A month later, a joyful Sam said goodbye to the orphanage. He stepped down the steps, hand in hand with his father, his limp now barely a shuffle, and looked back at the building, waving to the children and caretakers on the porch.

Well cross this line together, and a new life will begin, his father said. Forget the bad things here, but remember those who helped you survive. Always be grateful to them.