The Day The Skies Stood Still

That was the headline of the local paper on April 15, 2010. And the skies stood silent and empty as the world waited to see what impact a Volcanic eruption in Iceland would have. Here in London – planes were grounded for six days creating an unprecedented amount of chaos as locals were stranded in foreign countries trying to get home, and foreigners forced to make England their home a bit longer. Standing on the ground, looking up towards the heavens, one might have imagined a hazy sky, seen a vision of massive clouds where there were none. Because in reality – nothing changed. The sun shone brightly, the blue sky turned various shades throughout the day, and the massive plumes of volcanic ash stayed silent and out of sight…thousands of feet too high for us on the ground to really appreciate.

Of course we could wrap our heads around the thousands of people sitting in airports, the fact that Annie Lennox couldn’t make it to Hollywood to participate in American Idol Gives Back, and the shouting matches between airline corporations losing millions of pounds per day. It was harder to imagine this force of nature, this unexpected and ubiquitous presence insulating the island with dangerous skies. “It” left the same way it came – without warning and without fanfare. A flight from Canada braved the atmosphere and landed in England without problem…and started the procession of airliners dotting the horizon. All seems back to normal, whatever that means. And most people here have gotten on with their lives without so much as a glance towards the vast blue infinity, without so much as a moment taken to stand in awe of the power of Nature, and with more than a few grumbles that their upcoming flight “better not” be affected. That seems to be the way that things happen in this world. If not personally affected, not much attention spared, not much thought given. In this Universe where things don’t happen by accident – I think it’s important to take notice of what happens, take notice of the forces behind the magnificence. It was the “Day the Skies Stood Still.” That’s a day for the history books for sure…and we’re a part of that history, as sure as we’re a part of this world.