A week of miracles
Adele R. McDowell, Ph.D.
January 20, 2009
Sources say the plane lost both engines due to double bird strikes and forced Captain Chesley B. Sullenberger III, aka "Sully," to make a quick decision and land the plane on the Hudson River. I heard the plane had just cleared the George Washington Bridge by 900 feet.
The Captain told everyone to "brace for impact." People feared they would die in the crash landing and said there were some tears, a few screams, many prayers, quickly scribbled goodbye notes and even some cell phone messages, but primarily the cabin held an eerie silence as the plane fell powerlessly through space and some passengers linked arms together.
Like a scene from a movie, the pilot used the Hudson River, free of homes, businesses and people, as his watery runway. The plane landed with a single hard impact, resulting in a multi-story swell of water. There was, unbelievably, no bounce, and, amazingly, the plane did not break apart upon impact.
Passengers reported they thought they would now drown. Water entered the plane, especially the tail end. For those in the back rows, the frigid water rose up to their chests and necks. Cushions were floating. One man stripped, thinking his clothes would weigh him down in the water, and moved across the tops of the seats to safety. One woman, clearly out of her nervousness, insisted on retrieving her overhead luggage.
Passengers reported "controlled chaos" as they assessed their situation, and the emergency doors were opened. They exited out onto the water-lapped wings of the plane, where, within two minutes, the first ferry reached the bobbling plane. One man chose not to wait and swam 15+ minutes to the New Jersey shore of the Hudson River.
Passengers discussed the helpfulness of their fellow passengers, and the kindnesses proffered. One woman told the story of a man who stood patiently in waist-high icy water -- understand that prolonged exposure to the frigid water as well as the artic winds causes physical deterioration and damage – and secured the life raft that held the women and children. Others reported ferry workers and ferry passengers handing over their dry gloves, hats, scarves and coats to wet and freezing passengers.
All 155 of the passengers, from an infant of nine months to a great grandmother 85 years of age, and crew survived the crash into the icy waters. This "Miracle on the Hudson" is credited to the cool-headed, experienced and masterful piloting by Captain Sullenberger as well as the immediate response of first responders from water teams of ferries to NYC fire fighters, police and other emergency personnel.
I think we all needed a miracle. Everyone has been so battered and bruised these days – and for a myriad of reasons that don´t warrant listing at this moment, but we all know so well.
Like so many others, I found myself glued to the television news. I was teary and full of great joy and relief.
I learned there was a swell of press on the NY shore waiting for the survivors of the flight. One reporter allowed there were probably 500-600 press assembled, and they seriously outnumbered all of the emergency response personnel. Even CBS´s Katie Couric reported her nightly news broadcast live from the site. The incident touched us all in a deep place.
We have all been so barraged and wrapped up in the bad news; it seems to me we held our breath to see if this was going to be another sadness to shoulder. And happily, it was not.
Here´s what I think got to us all:
1) There was a miracle. Good things can happen.
2) People helped one another. They put others before themselves, which, in these days of Bernie Madoffs, vested interests and corporate greed, is a welcome event.
3) Hypothermia, PTSD and broken bones notwithstanding, the injuries, relative to the potential worst case scenario, are manageable and treatable; they can be addressed and handled.
4) The low-flying plane in NYC air space triggered memories and flashbacks of September 11th, but this time, happily, the result was relief and gratitude. It was not a repeat of that disaster. New Yorkers collectively breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Life-affirming events remind of us mortality and the sheer yippee of life and relationships. Parents allowed they so welcomed their kids calling them mom and dad. Many said the incident gave them a new start, a new day and new perspective. A brush with death can do that.
I think we needed this miracle. We needed this boost, the jolt of grace to remind us that there is light; there is hope and there is possibility. I think the same can be said for the Inauguration.
To my way of thinking, the Inauguration and all of the pre-Inaugural activities have been designed to heal the connective tissue of this country that has been torn by divisive interests and all manner of differences.
The country is becoming a "we" again. We are being asked to step forward, take a stand and make a difference. We are asked to help rebuild and revivify this country we call our own. We are asked to work for the common good. We are asked to replace our powerlessness with activism; we are asked to be a part of the solution. We are asked to re-engage and reconnect with the disenfranchised. Everyone has a place at the table. We all count – every age, every background, every ethnicity, every denomination, every gender. Everyone is included.
As our first African-American president, President Obama soothes the troubled waters of horrific African-American history and subjugation. At long last, that fence is being mended. Healing has begun on that great divide of racism.
This week, I am liking the news headlines. This week, I am feeling good about what I read and hear. I am feeling hopeful, positive and a part of something larger than myself. I am feeling connected to everyone. And it has been a long time coming, but this week it has arrived in full force, I am proud and deeply grateful to be an American.
Thank you, Captain Sully for keeping a part of us whole. And welcome, President Obama; you have my prayers and best wishes for all of your efforts, guidance and wisdom in keeping all of us whole.
It´s been a good week, my friends. Onward with great hope, let us walk together, hand in hand.
Copyright 2009 by Adele Ryan McDowell.
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