
David travelled extensively with his job
flying both domestic and International
sleeping through the pre-fight safety briefings
feeling sorry for those afraid of flying
it was a long haul flight this day
everything was routine and normal
having a glass of wine with dinner
settling down for a long nap
he was thinking of his family
three small children playing in the yard
his wife smiling and watching over them
he would not see them for a week
woken by a loud noise and vibration
he opened the window blind
an engine was on fire
the pilot was fighting to regain control
passengers were screaming
debris falling from overhead compartments
we are going to die screamed his neighbor
David was not ready to die
he had not finished living his life yet
a young family to raise
grandchildren to be enjoyed
retirement after a long successful career
the plane was losing height fast
writing text messages to his wife
I love you- tell the kids I love them- goodbye
emergency landing announced the captain
the plane skidded along the runway
chased by emergency vehicles
he slid down the emergency chute
vowing to treasure every remaining moment in his life