Lottie lived her life working and saving money for her future enjoyment. Bess, on the other hand, had “lived each day as if there were no other.” This is shown by the first two sentences and the rest of the story. While Lottie lives comfortably, she is discontent with her life. When Bettie's husband dies unexpectedly, Lottie learns that though Bettie may be poor, she is rich with happiness and experience. By the end of the passage, Lottie realizes that she lived a miserly life for the future but truly did not enjoy the present.
The moral of the story is life is a gift, and maintaining a balance with everything in moderation will ensure a long one. The wings represent the father giving his son life; the ocean and the sun represent the extremes of denying and overindulging yourself; flying in between is the answer.
