Death in the Clouds

“Pray with me, Lisa.”

They prayed together.

“The Lord is my Shepherd…”

“…I shall not want.”

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures…”

“…He leadeth me beside the still waters.”

“He restoreth my soul…”

“…He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’sake”

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…”

“…I will fear no evil: For thou art with me”

“Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me…”

“…Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies”

“Thou annointest my head with oil…”

“…My cup runneth over.”

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…”

“…and I will dwell in the House of the Lord…”

“…forever.”

A single teardrop fell.

“Promise you would call my family. And give my love to David and Drew.”

As he placed the phone down, the connection still open, he looked at the other people in the group.

It was a motley group – individuals of all ages, both sexes, and in various states of health. They were people of different occupations, faiths, lives and lifestyles, different virtues and different faults – some shy, some brash, most just run-of-the-mill – aware for less than thirty minutes of the cruel twist of fate that had unfolded upon them – that sudden encounter at that ultimate turn – the unsought, unwanted and unexpected exit sign pointing off the busy highway that’s life – with no time to prepare.

“Are you guys ready? Let’s roll!”

And roll they did.

For the very ordinary citizens of a very special country, the call was sudden, the act was ex-tempore, and yet it was absolutely a class act – and that was no accident!

It was a small wave of humanity that rolled together. It looked straight into the face of the grim reaper – whose scythe of death now raced through those clouds – and refused to flinch. It rolled to its guaranteed fatal destiny – the same destiny that must overtake us all some day – yet it left lessons for those who are the dead in the brain because they never learnt to use it – and it left lessons for those who are the dead at heart because they have lost it – and it left lessons for the many who are the perpetual dead for they dare no attempts because the odds are against them!

It was a small wave that was to turn the tide and pave the way for a brand new course and the ocean that was to follow.

For the last line of defense is never the thin blue line or the thin khaki line – it’s that thin red line which is drawn with the blood of very ordinary citizens!

And some red lines shall forever hold – because that’s the way they are – because that’s the way the Artist chose to draw them!

(“We are sure that the nation owes a debt to the passengers of United 93. Their actions saved the lives of countless others…” The 9/11 Commission Report)