Everyone prays on planes

by Anna Warwick

On Sunday night (July 15) I was nodding off on a flight back to Sydney from Melbourne when I had an unexpected spiritual experience. It had been an inspiring weekend (see my article), and I was feeling particularly grateful. I thought over all the little magical things that had happened – the lovely people I’d met, the incredible art I had seen and the wonderful food I had eaten. I was so happy to be alive. And there’s nothing like being in a plane to remind you that you ARE indeed, alive. I don’t watch those TV shows or news segments about plane crashes, and I’m not afraid of terrorists (even if the airline officials do confiscate my nail files and make me take off my knee-high boots when I go through the buzzer…) but I am always a teensy bit mollified by the fact that I am recklessly defying gravity in what is basically an aluminium can. As I dozed I imagined, or hoped, that my plane was being protected by a silver glowing force field. It suddenly became very important to me that I land safely.

I suddenly missed my Grandma – I wanted to call her! I wanted to call my Mum and Dad and my brothers and all my loved ones… I was so lucky to have them! All these things I had to be happy about kept popping into my mind and without really meaning to I was thanking somebody – or something – for them. I felt tears come to my eyes and stream down my cheeks. I quickly rubbed them away. But I was left with this amazingly peaceful feeling, and I felt a surge of hope. I really did feel like I was being looked after. I opened my eyes. Through the window I saw a million twinkling fairy lights as we flew into Sydney. The cars were as tiny as bugs. How small were the people - how small was I? Why was I worried about nail files? Humans are hilarious! I looked around the plane as we came into land, and everyone seemed pretty focused. Indian faces, Vietnamese, Greek, Italian, Muslim, Anglo – everyone was silent. Were we all imagining silver bubbles around the plane’s tyres as the plane bounced on the tarmac and made that terrifying shrieking noise? Were we all praying to our own gods? It sure felt like it! The atmosphere in that safely landed plane was, for a moment, one of clarity and joy. Then we were all sucked back into our teeny tiny lives. If this yucky war has given us anything it’s given us this: there is somewhere where we all pray after all.

Reader Response from Monica Porreca
I think moments like you had happen everyday. For me whenever I am driving on a picture perfect day when the sky is so blue you can't imagine a cloud ever appearing to blemish such an crystal clear sky. I think how lucky I am to be alive and share in this beautiful day and how thankful I am for my family and friends and the blessings I have. You're right, we do get caught up in the mundane and I think God (whoever a person's God is) every now and then just does something to remind us to be grateful and appreciate our lives a little more even if it just for a moment in time.
Monica.

Thanks Monica for your lovely email, we'll send you a little pressie in the mail.
Anna xxx

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