In Memoriam

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I was recently reminded of the whimsical nature of existence when a coworker strolled in late to work. Upon arriving this coworker informed us that her “seasonal” workplace was in turmoil after one of her coworkers had been killed over the weekend in a skydiving accident. I didn’t think much of it, as my coworker did not seem to be distressed by this fact. But before too long curiosity got the better of me – I ran a google news search. I entered the terms “skydiving” and “kills”. Upon clicking the first link that was retrieved my heart dropped into my stomach.

I reread the name of the skydiving company whose plane had crashed, killing my coworker’s coworker; I had read it correctly, it did say “Quantum Leap Skydiving”. The name was all too familiar. I had come to know the name when I decided to become a licensed skydiver, and I had made jumps with most of the people who ran the jump site. It was an eerie feeling that one doesn’t (at least I don’t) feel that often. Reading the article, recognizing the names and remembering the fact that several of these now deceased people had been present at one of the most memorable moments of my life—my first jump–was surreal.

But then I remembered the individuals.

Although it has been over 8 years since I last jumped from an airplane – other things have taken precedence—I have not forgotten the attitude with which most of them approached each jump. Preplanning and preparation for nearly every conceivable irregularity that might occur was part of the protocol. I liked this. But I was more impressed by the fact that the gravity of the experience was in some ways outweighed by the merriment of the jumpers. Each knew that this jump could be his or her last and they approached each jump accordingly. After taking all possible precautions, these people lived life, as I believe we all should, like the next moment could be the last. Most importantly they enjoyed it.

Although this may be an inappropriate use of the ILP forum, I’d like to say a public goodbye to Scott and Rob. Goodbye and thanks for everything. You gave me more than you know.

And another nod to Rob for saving a life with his own:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/skydivers-heroics-saves-aussies-life/2006/08/02/1154198169252.html

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Very sad.

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I share your sentiment to a degree, km, and I’m sure the family members appreciate it.

But rejoice in the fact that at least one passenger was saved, not because society mandated it, but because the honor and self-respect of an individual required it.

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Yes, but it’s always sadder when the world loses people like that. That’s the irony; the people with the qualities the world needs are the very people who lose their lives because of those qualities.

I recently saw a documentary on Robert Kennedy (repeat) and I think one person summed up the feeling after his death very well. He said that it wasn’t just the shocking loss of another major figure, but it was also the profound loss of the country’s potential.

It’s this ‘loss of potential’ that even strangers feel personally.

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Hello yopele,

I’m sorry to hear of the tragedy.

As the act of walking is a constantly prevented falling, so is living a constantly prevented dying. We live so long as each present experience is replaced by another. One sometimes hears people talk of “near death” experiences. In fact, life itself is a near death experience. All of us are no more than a few heatbeats or some tens of litres of air away from death.

“The hour that gives life begins to take it away.” Seneca

To adopt the language of your post, birth might be akin to slowly waking to find oursleves in a free-fall without a parachute from a great height. There is sorrow as we watch others strike the ground. And yet we’re all on the same trajectory. We all share the same ultimate future. And even though each passing moment brings us closer to the ground, it’s pointless to dwell on the ground. Look instead at the sky and feel the air rushing by you. Sing. Reach out and grasp the hand of someone falling alongside you. Dance. Life is the joy and the melancholy of our brief free-fall back into oblivion.

Best wishes,
Michael

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Hi Polemarchus. Was your post meant to be directed at Yopele? :smiley:

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Oops, sorry km2_33!

Yes, of course I meant yopele :blush:

I’ve just made the edit.

Thanks much,
Michael

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:astonished:

Wow.

I know the feeling man.