Captain of West Jet Flight 2345 to tower moments after the two aircrafts collided.
GO GO GO
Crew giving instructions to passengers at the emergency chute.
These audio snippets are etched in my mind forever. The jolt of the planes colliding, the firebomb, the explosion, the smoke, all pale in comparison to these words... Mayday, Mayday, Mayday.
This post is not about the fiery crash. That's between me and my therapist. Suffice to say I have never witnessed pure, unadulterated panic and I do not wish it upon anyone. It's terrifying, it's visceral, and it's trauma inducing. Mental Health experts tell us incidents such as these often trigger long buried past trauma. Yes, this is true, more on that later, maybe, who knows for sure?
The trauma I experienced is softened as I run with friends. Your kind words, your expressions of concern, your compassion mean the world. You make me whole again.
I told my therapist this morning I don't like to talk about this experience because it seems artificial. I want your ear for an hour and I know that's not possible. I tell the story in bits and bites highlighting the visuals because that tells a good story. I expect you want the Hollywood version so that is what I tell. But mostly I hold it tight to my chest.
I thank my special friends for being there for me when I need you the most. I thank you for the coffee. I thank you for listening. I thank you for hearing me.
On a lighter side I give you this little video, Run Puerto Morelos, Die Happy.
Peace and love to you all.
It's a good day to be alive.
Mike
This post is not about the fiery crash. That's between me and my therapist. Suffice to say I have never witnessed pure, unadulterated panic and I do not wish it upon anyone. It's terrifying, it's visceral, and it's trauma inducing. Mental Health experts tell us incidents such as these often trigger long buried past trauma. Yes, this is true, more on that later, maybe, who knows for sure?
The trauma I experienced is softened as I run with friends. Your kind words, your expressions of concern, your compassion mean the world. You make me whole again.
I told my therapist this morning I don't like to talk about this experience because it seems artificial. I want your ear for an hour and I know that's not possible. I tell the story in bits and bites highlighting the visuals because that tells a good story. I expect you want the Hollywood version so that is what I tell. But mostly I hold it tight to my chest.
I thank my special friends for being there for me when I need you the most. I thank you for the coffee. I thank you for listening. I thank you for hearing me.
On a lighter side I give you this little video, Run Puerto Morelos, Die Happy.
Peace and love to you all.
It's a good day to be alive.
Mike
