THE LARGER WORLD
Every time I see a plane I think about all the times I’ve flown. All the people on board, myself on a righteous adventure. Each one of us journeying through the skies represents an entire life lived - hopes, dreams, and sorrows.
Yet every plane I see is equally full of other people with their own lives lived - it’s a stark reminder of the larger world that is mostly unseen but remains deeply impactful in our lives.
I’ve found that if you live long enough in a small town you start to get the idea that you know the place. That you understand how all the pieces fit together, how the airport manager and customs officer work with service contractors to meet emergency aircraft, and how you might be able to convince them to let you ride along.
But then an Antonov An-225 arrives, a beast from another world, full with people and lives lived and lives to be saved. Sitting on the tarmac, it’s nose yawing open it reminded me of a great bird of legend, regurgitating it’s treasure.
When the small world of neighbouring Pangnirtung lost their generator in the middle of winter, the larger world of the Antonov steped in. Flew in, wedged in its belly, a specialized helicopter, the only vehicle capable manoeuvring a new generator to the mountainous Pang.
Thundering rescue, all further crisis averted.
It’s hard to fathom the machinations of millions - their reaching hand the deus ex machina that puts food on our plates and saves small towns from freezing.
