We Needed a Miracle

The media coverage of Flight 1549 makes my spine tingle. This is the ultimate fear that lurks in every flier's mind and heart from start to finish - trouble in the air. Tragedy and bad news has been in abundant supply recently in my little corner of the world. From cancer and its' attendant surgeries and now the promise of major radiation striking a close family member, to a grapefruit sized brain tumor felling the husband of one of my oldest friends (father of 4) who just a month ago toasted to my 40th birthday in seemingly perfect health, to yet another friend who lost both his sister and brother in the past month. His mother buried her second child in 6 weeks today in the cold Pennsylvania ground. None of the people I am referencing here are over 60. These are difficult times for the people in my world. I readily confess that I am selfishly grateful that these tragedies are circling instead of making a direct hit - but life has taught me that we all get our turn at the wheel. You never knew when your turn is here and that is as frightening as hell. Position that against an economy in shambles with friends and neighbors losing their jobs or fearful of it. These are heavy and dark times. Then comes Flight 1549. It has all the ingredients of a disaster but as Shakespeare aptly noted "the only difference between a tragedy and a comedy is the ending." A former fighter pilot now flying commercial has no option but to ditch his plane in the icy Hudson on the coldest day of the year with zero engine power makes a bold decision to avoid the congested landscape of Manhattan and possibly save his precious human cargo. And it works. Never before has such a landing saved 155+ lives. Most go horribly wrong. Multiply that by terrified but cooperative passengers, the mantra of women and children first being put into action, New York ferry boats rushing to the scene and finally - the Captain walking the plane twice to make sure it was empty before leaving his sinking craft. If this were a movie no one would believe it. Me? I didn't think they made people like that anymore. Since the Captain is 57, maybe I'm right. But I rejoiced at the bravery and collective goodness of the Captain and all those on board. I am compelled to draw comparisons between Captain Sullenberger (I want to just call him "Sully") to Bernie Madoff. I don't know why. Sullenberger lost both engines and used his skills and bravery to forge a miracle. Contrast that with Madoff who had everything yet it was not enough. He conned, lied and stole. He basked in the media coverage of his "successes" and gave seminars about his Madoff financial recipe. In the end, he financially ruined his closest friends, major charitable organizations designed to do so many wonderful things, and is still trying to sneak money out of the country for himself. He smirks to the camera while his counsel makes legally brilliant but morally bankrupt arguments about why he should be allowed to live in his $10 million dollar penthouse pending trial. Sullenberger put the plane down, got everyone off, called his wife & daughters when he was safe and is still not available for interviews. God was on the wings of Flight 1549 yesterday and gave hope to a weary nation thirsting for something good, pure and just darn lucky. I am not alone in this - seasoned news anchors last night were positively giddy reporting this story. We all needed something to boost our spirits. We needed a miracle to let us know that there are still good things in this world that defy explanation. I feel lighter today when going about my business somehow like He is watching. I think everyone got a boost from this Miracle on the Hudson.