Car crash kills woman who missed doomed flight
Catching up with this tale of luck/fate/randomness/bad driving that's been reported by news outlets:
Italian pensioner Johanna Ganthaler and her husband, Kurt, were vacationing in Brazil and ticketed to return home May 31 — on Air France Flight 447. But they were late to the Rio de Janiero airport and missed the doomed flight, which crashed four hours later in the Atlantic Ocean, killing all 228 people aboard.
The next day the couple took another plane back to Europe and rented a car to drive to their home in the Dolomite Mountains of northern Italy. In Kufstein, Austria, however, their car swerved across the road and hit an oncoming truck.
She died instantly. Her husband is in a hospital with serious injuries.
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HurricaneJoanie
- Pirate Queen
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- Joined: 08-28-2001 02:00 AM
Near death research lends serious credence to the belief that one's life is indeed determined as to its length. Yes, self-abuse in various ways can shorten a life before its natural time, but it certainly does seem that "to everything there is a purpose, and a time to every purpose under heaven." Nothing less, and nothing more...
The whole situation reminds me of the Arab parable: "Once upon a time there was a rich man who lived in Amman. One morning he went into his garden only to find Death there, staring at him. Terrified, the man ran back inside and told his servant that he was going to Damascus to escape Death, who was waiting for him in the garden. After the man departed, the servant went into the garden and asked Death, 'why were you staring at my master?" Death replied, 'I was surprised to see him here. You see, I have an appointment with him tonight in Damascus.'"
I regard the idea of my life span as being fixed in length as a comforting one. As I move into old age, I surrender myself to the will of God, either in life or in death. In Its will is our peace, and trusting to Its judgment, I am ready to be nothing in the expectation of being all. God's will be done in any case...
The whole situation reminds me of the Arab parable: "Once upon a time there was a rich man who lived in Amman. One morning he went into his garden only to find Death there, staring at him. Terrified, the man ran back inside and told his servant that he was going to Damascus to escape Death, who was waiting for him in the garden. After the man departed, the servant went into the garden and asked Death, 'why were you staring at my master?" Death replied, 'I was surprised to see him here. You see, I have an appointment with him tonight in Damascus.'"
I regard the idea of my life span as being fixed in length as a comforting one. As I move into old age, I surrender myself to the will of God, either in life or in death. In Its will is our peace, and trusting to Its judgment, I am ready to be nothing in the expectation of being all. God's will be done in any case...
"Fuggedah about it, Jake --- it's Chinatown!"
After Ramona Bell passed, this was posted to the Forum: "I have studied this subject long enough to be absolutely convinced of one thing: no one is taken from this Earth until they have fulfilled their life's purpose, or until they have screwed it up so badly that 'fullfilling their life's purpose', is no longer an option." Since then it has become among my favorite of quotes, and I repeat to myself almost daily. Perhaps the Pirate that wrote it will recognize himself.
Did you ever stop to think, and then forget to start again?
Addendum:
This thread has made me think, in a serious way, about my cousin Patrick, who was killed in the Minneapolis bridge collapse of 2007. (May I mention how supportive the Pirates were during that time!!) Subsequent video has shown that his was among the first cars to crash into the water, which actually brings my Aunt Mary Claire comfort. There was no suffering. His death was instant.
But every time I drive over the bridge of the Mighty Mo, I remember. What was Pat thinking that day? Did he know? Did God tell him? He had a wife and two kids. Was that taken into consideration?
I believe God has a plan for all of our lives, and when we pass, it is very peaceful. And rewarding. But when you are the blood sister of a 44-year-old who is already a cancer survivor, and the cousin of the victim of a senseless bridge collapse, you worry.
But I still believe! Thanks fer the thread, Bell. Good discussion...
This thread has made me think, in a serious way, about my cousin Patrick, who was killed in the Minneapolis bridge collapse of 2007. (May I mention how supportive the Pirates were during that time!!) Subsequent video has shown that his was among the first cars to crash into the water, which actually brings my Aunt Mary Claire comfort. There was no suffering. His death was instant.
But every time I drive over the bridge of the Mighty Mo, I remember. What was Pat thinking that day? Did he know? Did God tell him? He had a wife and two kids. Was that taken into consideration?
I believe God has a plan for all of our lives, and when we pass, it is very peaceful. And rewarding. But when you are the blood sister of a 44-year-old who is already a cancer survivor, and the cousin of the victim of a senseless bridge collapse, you worry.
But I still believe! Thanks fer the thread, Bell. Good discussion...
Did you ever stop to think, and then forget to start again?