“People say they want to know the truth, but what they really want to know is that they already know the truth.” Max Klein, “Fearless”

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After I posted again last week ( CLICK H-E-R-E ) about the pilot who crashed on my residence in 1991, I got some interesting responses. A friend and contemporary who I connect with only on facebook reached out and shared part of a personal story and perspective related to ‘my’ crash.

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My friend had met the deceased pilot in passing, after having spent time with other pilots around the United States when younger. It was a big part of their life. So, the friend got to experience part of the impact on me from both an insider’s and outsider’s perspective. It is truly a small world. It’s a story I was unaware of and would have never known had my friend not reached out to share a slice of perspective from the other side. I was grateful to know that my small story had connected to another person in a meaningful way.

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Writing is often like throwing stones into the dark. I know that people are reading it who don’t comment and that most content doesn’t connect. But I don’t throw the stones for the reaction.

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The concentric circles of coincidence and how connected we all are still surprises me, even after living through thousands of insights.  https://xteri.me/2015/06/19/sonder-and-sonderous/

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Even after I posted the airplane story again, I had a few people who still thought it might not be true or that it was just a clever story. I’m no Ben Carson on this one. It’s too strange to be untrue. Like so many other things, it is both a small part of my life and a big impact into who I am today.

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“You told me I was going to be safe with you.” (Carla) “You’re safe. You’re safe because we died already.” (Max) “Fearless”

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“Fearless” is a movie from 1993, starring Jeff Bridges. (It’s also a novel by Rafael Yglesias.) Jeff’s character is a normal person until he survives a horrific plane crash. Surviving the crash changes him dramatically. I’ve watched the movie 5-6 times and each time I do, it revives the macabre laughter in me that awakened even further after being on the ground under a crashing plane.

Post from social media:

“Weird. It is almost like no one recognizes me. But I got a lot of waves and laughter as I walked
to my car.”

Before leaving work, I had an inspiration. I grabbed a large brown paper bag, ripped it across and then ripped two eye holes, stuffing my glasses on as an anchor. I left work and walked to my car, along a very busy road. People were gawking, laughing, waving, and pointing. It was great fun.

Some people say I have never looked better in my entire life. And my laugh lines and wrinkles are virtually gone. I may be on to a new type of product!

I wish life were always so carefree. For just a few cents and a little willingness to come across as stupid, I got a great dose of fun out of an otherwise mundane activity.