“Hallowed Be Thy Name”
Like a lot of people, I was deeply affected by that tragic plane crash in Florida last week. Not just the sheer terror in the pilot’s voice as the plane was coming down (I couldn't even bring myself to listen to the whole recording). Not just the fact that it all happened in barely a minute. And not least, the heartbreaking thought that two young children were on board.
But the part that affected me most was something else. As the tragedy was unfolding, you could hear the other pilot in the background saying, “Hallowed Be Thy Name.” He had started praying. He knew the end was coming, there was no way out, and nothing more he could do. I found that incredibly disturbing and moving at the same time. That moment has stayed with me.
Working in medicine, I'm constantly reminded of how fragile life is. How quickly everything can change, and how little control we ultimately have. But here's the strange thing about us humans. We get these reminders, we're shaken, we reflect, and we promise ourselves we'll live differently. And then, within days, most of us slip straight back into our old routines.
The truth is that death is one of the few absolute certainties in life. Yet we all live as though we have unlimited time. Those people woke up that morning expecting a wonderful trip to the Bahamas. They had plans, dreams, and a future they assumed was waiting for them. Just like all of us.
So please, let this be a reminder to hug your loved ones a little tighter. Tell people what they mean to you. If something in your life is making you deeply unhappy, whether it's your work, a relationship, or simply the way you're living, do something about it. Stop postponing your happiness and wasting precious years waiting for the perfect moment.
Because one day, there will be no more time to change anything. And none of us knows when that day will come.
