This is my most treasured family photo.

It’s my grandpa standing in front of the plane he flew in World War II at a museum. He was 97 at the time.

For context, he grew up in abject poverty, fought in the war, got his PhD and later worked for NASA. He did this all so that his children, and my sister and I, could have better lives than he did.

He represented the American dream in its purest form, and that having the audacity to aspire to a better life isn’t a bad thing.

He passed away two years after this was taken, just short of turning 100. He is missed.

Never forget the people who got you here. And I hope my sharing this reminds you of them.