The Miracle on the Hudson

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I have finally seen the movie, Sully.

It was shown on my last cruise, out under the stars

by the pool,

but I just couldn't miss another activity first 
and was too late to get a chaise!

I had to resort to shelling out some $$s for it here at home!
Oh, wow! I watched it last Saturday night and
couldn't wait to watch again on Sunday afternoon.

If, by chance, there is anyone left out there 
in the sound of my voice who

hasn't seen this movie, you have a treat in store.

This is one of the stories of our lifetime,

made even better because it had such a 
beautifully perfect ending.

One thing of which I made particular note.

It was only 24 minutes from the time the plane

touched down on the Hudson 

to the time all passengers and crew were rescued!
(A good thing since the air temperature 
was only 19 degrees and the water 41 degrees.)

The first time I teared up in the movie was when

a rather gruff ferry boat captain radioed in amazement

that he had just spotted a passenger plane in the river

with people on the wings!

He was the first to arrive to help, in as little 
as 6 minutes, I believe.
The actions of the rescuers--ferry boat captains,
Navy divers, first responders, the Red Cross 
and so many others--made me cry some more.

As for that touchdown, here are a few facts from

the captain himself when asked by Charlie Rose
"What could have gone wrong?"
Sully said,

"If we hadn't had the wings exactly level, 

it would have spun us around.

The aircraft might have broken apart.

If we had landed with too great a rate of descent,

the airplane may have broken apart and

wouldn't have floated long enough for the

rescue to take place.

If we had misjudged the height at which to begin

the landing, even by a fraction of a second..."

The investigation into the "water landing" 

(not "crash" insisted Sully) took 15 long months, 

although I didn't realize that from the movie.

This had to be horrendous for Sully, even though he

was hailed as a hero by the masses.

When we were in New York recently, I kept

looking at the Hudson and wondering in what

area the plane had come to rest.

I have since realized that it was near the area of the

Intrepid Air, Sea, and Space Museum.

At least once our cruise ship was parked next

 to the Intrepid--I took pictures of it from our deck.

I wonder if there were cruise ship passengers

who witnessed this miracle in person.

One thing that makes me sad about the story is

that Captain Sully credits only his years of training

 and skill for this landing.

He does not wish to be called a hero, but he also

gives no credit a higher power--
the Creator who gave him his brilliant mind
and the perfect recall of his skills to save lives.

Nevertheless, I do...and this will be the

picture etched indelibly in my mind when I remember

the Miracle on the Hudson.

"For you, O Lord, have made me glad
by what You have done.
I will sing for joy at the work
of Your hands."
Psalm 92:4