sr111-1999

September 04, 1999

The memorials are over, the monuments dedicated, the remains buried. Events held to remember what can never be forgotten. So many lives lost, so many lives changed forever. The closing of the traditional year of mourning has been marked, but nothing is closed, and everything marked. The Three of Swords (III) is still an appropriate image for the crash of Swissair 111. The lightning-struck Tower sent 229 souls into the Abyss, and the aftermath is Sorrow.

Many of the family and friends of those on board the flight feel heartbreak, loneliness and betrayal. Others have been touched as well. Rescue and recovery workers, who will have to live with horrid memories. Investigative and government people, who are hopefully shaken to the core. Technicians devastated by remorse. Passengers thinking it could just as easily been them or their loved ones. Amazing how many people can be affected by such a short moment in time.

I see it as a triple tragedy.

All those lives that will never be lived, the things they'll never know or experience, the beauty and diversity lost from the world.
The people left behind, knowing their loved ones died horrible deaths, not knowing why, left with huge holes in their lives and in their hearts--yet still having to endure the aftermath.
Failure of things we trusted and took for granted on so many levels--from technical capabilities to regulatory agencies.

And now there's so much discussion about how unsafe it really is to fly. It s*cks that it takes something like this to draw attention to some really frightening issues. I'm glad there are people raising their voices about it. I pray that they can bring about change for the better. I have to get on a plane and cross the Atlantic four times a year. Otherwise, I don't get to see my family. I don't want to do it in fear. Hmmm, maybe I should DO something about it. (How 'bout you?)

Meantime, what everyone can do is pray. The things I pray for regularly are also triple.

That everyone affected by this horrible tragedy can let God fill the hole in their hearts with strength and peace. That they are helped by compassionate people, who treat them with love and respect. That they won't be judged by others who can't imagine how they feel, who would never want to walk in their shoes.
That someone LISTENS and ACTS to reduce the chance of similar or repeat occurence. That the whole system, and everyone in it, tightens up and bears down.
That the world is not so horrible that any of my suspicions of conspiracy could possibly be true.

Condolences

My personal reaction

Death's White Rose

http://www.moonchild.ch/Journal/SR111_1999.html