The thread of life is so fragile, yet sometimes it seems so stubborn and strong. Some very bad news popped up over my twitter stream during the course of the day. Seems that a young Marine pilot on a training flight encountered some mechanical failure in his jet and the plane came down in a suburban enclave some miles to the northwest of our little abode causing a fire and damaging homes. The pilot walked away, but it seems that 3 members of a family of 4 have been confirmed dead. This is simply horrific. Horrific for the dead, but mostly horrific for the remaining family member (if he or she is ‘fortunate’ enough to have survived). I can’t imagine the ache of the survivors.
At 11:30 this morning, twas just a December morning, people doing whatever they do in the course of day then within a half of an hour, this neighborhood suddenly becomes ground zero for an unthinkable accident. This is the reality that we block out everyday. Tis but a tenuous thread that keeps us here. Most of us will not see the end for many many years, but it can happen at any time anywhere when the thread snaps and we become another harrowing tale. There are times that my thoughts are darkened by the thought of “What if this is the last time?”. Fortunately it’s not an overwhelming preoccupation, but the thought comes unbidden and unpredictable. In those moments I try take a last gulp of whomever shares my physical space and appreciate the intricacies of the instant while navigating the living breathing moment.
Tis better not to become too focused on the rare chances because you can be limited by the statistics. For example, when you get on plane you don’t think too much about it crashing (oblique Weeds reference). But sometimes the thought of its tender vulnerability can cause you to slow down and see where you are and what really matters in the long run. Life is fragile and tough and its many contradictions give it a piquant and provocative bouquet, but it is better savored than rushed. My heart goes out to the people whose lives have been affected by this incident. This is one of those ‘unthinkable’ events that marks people for better or worse. Most of us will move on but for some the end is here and now.
That footage that you linked to is pretty jarring. I had heard a blip about it today (on twitter) but had not seen any details until now. Wow. Just, wow.
There is really only one good solution to deal with the permanent impermanence of life, which is to seize and appreciate each moment we are here and together with our loved ones. There are also, of course, lots of less-ideal solutions, such as merely avoiding thinking about it.
The one response that will never work: living in fear. As you say, the end shall come for all of us, hopefully later rather than sooner. I am a more cautious person than I once was, because I don’t want my own stupidity or carelessness to contribute to an early date with the end. But I mostly try to embrace the life I have and realize that when that moment does come, I’ll be able to look back and be proud of how I lived.
I think the hard part is finding a balance between the fear and the love. One can love the moment too much…or embrace the fear too strongly. Tis my constant struggle.
p.s. I am glad you are more cautious.
p.p.s. I am more cautious too.