You’ve got plans, you’ve got schemes. You act to implement them. Or try to.
So you get on a military aircraft. It’s free for you, since you’re a military retiree.
But all it takes is one little instance of clarity to make you re-think your plans. All it takes is having to put on an aircraft oxygen mask for the first time after countless instances of flying. All it takes is feeling the aircraft that you’re on drop out of the sky like a leaden gray lawn dart, while you’re calling on the Lord like you’ve never called on Him before; audibly and in front of other people.
All it takes is to feel the aircraft finally level off as you’re thanking the Lord in advance for putting you on the ground safely and in one piece.
Then, minutes later, you’re on the ground safely and in one piece.
I’m sure many people have called on God in such situations and still died. I know Todd Beamer did. I know also that misfortunes fall on the just and the unjust alike.
I don’t know why I’m still here to type this, but I am.
I don’t claim to know the mind of God. All I do know is that this one particular plan—me not dying today in a plane crash—was in agreement with His plan. All of my other plans will be taken under much more stringent advisement.
I’m happy and thankful to be home.
I'm glad you're safe! What would we do without your unique perspective?
Posted by: Becky | May 20, 2004 at 02:13 AM
Glad you're safe and sound!
Posted by: Lola Lee | May 20, 2004 at 03:40 AM
You've left us hanging gal...
What was the deal... what happened and why?
Glad you're safe...
Posted by: RickinVa | May 20, 2004 at 05:10 AM
Glad your plans coincided! Be safe, and know that I am very glad you made it down safely!
Posted by: Laughing Wolf | May 20, 2004 at 06:34 AM
Whoa.
Glad to hear you're safe.
Posted by: meep | May 20, 2004 at 06:35 AM
I'm sure I speak for most BaldiMinions when I say, I'm extremely glad you're back safe as well.
Posted by: og | May 20, 2004 at 07:26 AM
What og said. Whew.
Posted by: Russell | May 20, 2004 at 08:28 AM
All I know is that there was a fuel problem. The smell of it was all around after we disembarked.
Posted by: baldilocks | May 20, 2004 at 08:57 AM
"Flying is ninety-nine percent boredom and one percent stark terror."
Glad to have you back on solid ground, safe and sound.
Posted by: bob | May 20, 2004 at 09:13 AM
Glad you're home safe.
Posted by: Ith | May 20, 2004 at 09:15 AM
it's not the fall that kills ya. It's the sudden stop at the bottom. Thanks goodness for a light, less sudden stop!
Posted by: cooper | May 20, 2004 at 10:03 AM
Might not have been a fuel problem. They may have wanted or needed to dump fuel before the landing, and that may be a messy process. I wouldn't really know, though ... just mentioning the possibility.
Glad you're ok, though.
Posted by: wheels | May 20, 2004 at 10:31 AM
wheels: I had thought of that, too, but one of the crew members actually said that it was a fuel-related problem. (Sorry; I should have mentioned that.)
Posted by: baldilocks | May 20, 2004 at 10:37 AM
Wow...close calls will often bring out our spiritual sides.
When I am in deep trouble, I find that I involuntarily shed my conservative reserved manner and take on a more fervent and earnest disposition.
Posted by: bleedingbrain | May 20, 2004 at 10:40 AM
Glad you're safe, Juliette. Welcome back.
Posted by: | May 20, 2004 at 11:49 AM
Sorry, the post immediately above was from me.
Posted by: Sam Barnes | May 20, 2004 at 11:52 AM
Holy crap! I'm so glad you are ok!
Please stay safe.
Posted by: Serenity | May 20, 2004 at 12:35 PM
I am so glad you are ok. I say a prayer every time I get on a plane. Every time.
You are right, though - it's all so capricious. We never know when it's our time.
Posted by: Beth Donovan | May 20, 2004 at 12:49 PM
Welcome home. :)
(You'd be much less fun if you weren't in one piece, so I'm very thankful that you are.)
Posted by: Paul Jané | May 20, 2004 at 01:09 PM
And you just blogged about dying and having no control over it the other day!
Posted by: La Shawn Barber | May 20, 2004 at 02:00 PM
La Shawn: I guess He was seeing if I was just kidding or not.
Posted by: baldilocks | May 20, 2004 at 04:04 PM
What the person who said "Holy crap!" said.
Glad you're okay.
Posted by: Patterico | May 20, 2004 at 06:31 PM
!!!
glad to have you back safe
Posted by: samkit | May 20, 2004 at 08:00 PM
Wow! So glad you're safe. Welcome back.
Posted by: Minnesotan BaldiMinion | May 20, 2004 at 08:30 PM
Any landing you can walk away from, is a good one.
Welcome back, sis.
Jim
Sloop New Dawn
Galveston, TX
Posted by: Jim | May 20, 2004 at 10:24 PM
Baldilocks:
I'm glad you are safe and sound. I, too, was once in an airplane that nearly crashed. A bird flew into the starboard-side engine (I was on a thirteen passenger Shorts 360, I believe) and the thing exploded, first in a shower of sparks and then a 10-foot high plume of flames. The auto-extinguisher went off, but it was another 15 minutes before we were safely on the ground with the guys in the silver fire-proof suits. The good thing is this: you will be able to fly again, and you'll likely have the same attitude I do now. I've had my near-crash and it's highly unlikely anything of that sort will ever happen to me again (although I have been on a plane that was struck by lightning - no big deal!).
That being said, take care and 'get back in the saddle' as soon as soon as you are able. This won't haunt you.
Posted by: sharona | May 21, 2004 at 11:14 AM
Just damn. Glad you're OK, Juliette. I've faced similar situations a couple of times on planes, and although it was VERY difficult, I have managed to fly a few times since then. You will, too.
Posted by: david | May 21, 2004 at 08:08 PM
Glad you're safe.
Posted by: Peter | May 21, 2004 at 09:11 PM