Silver Wings

A classmate of mine, David S., taught me how to two-step when we were in the 5th grade. Red Stegall and his band were belting out "Silver Wings"at the dance after the race meet. David S. said, "This is it. I am going to teach you how to dance right now." So with sweaty palms and a nervous stomach I allowed myself to be led right to the middle of the dance floor. The concrete slab had already been literally dusted with cedar shavings to ensure a smooth boot scoot. It took me about four songs to quit counting out loud and stop watching my feet as David S. led me around the dance floor. He then taught me how to do the "Cotton Eyed Joe" and of course I already knew the "Bunny Hop". He waited until I was in the 6th grade before teaching me how to waltz. The "Jitterbug" was a little more complicated and we improvised some steps. We dubbed "Silver Wings" as our song. As we grew up and attended school dances and summer dances at the HCFA pavilion, David S. would always come find me when "Silver Wings" was played.

Fate doesn't always deal us a fair hand in life. We lost David S. our senior year in high school along with another good friend. They were involved in a car accident just three months before graduation. David S. shared with me one of the most treasured gifts in life --- the gift of dancing.

"Silver wings shining in the sunlight, roaring engines headed somewhere in flight.
They're taking you away, leaving me lonely, silver wings slowly fading out of sight.
Don't leave me I cry, don't take that airplane ride.
But you locked me out of your mind, left me standing here behind.
Silver wings shining in the sunlight, roaring engines headed somewhere in flight.
Their taking you away, leaving me lonely, silver wings slowly fading out of sight.
Silver wings shining in the sunlight, roaring engines headed somewhere in flight, they're taking you away.
Leaving me lonely. Silver wings slowly fading out of sight.Slowly fading out of sight."