In 1922, pioneering aviator Ross Smith died after a low-altitude crash while test piloting an aircraft.
Crashes occurred then, as they do now, but the fact that he perished stunned the world. Because Smith, along with his brother and two mechanics, had won the first ever England-to-Australia air race in 1919.
Sometimes people who accomplish what seem to be super human things are seen to be super human. In the air race, Smith flew over 14,000 miles at about 80 miles per hour for a total of 135 flying hours. The race took just under 28 days with more than 20 stops along the way. In 1919, there was no such thing as the 20-hour non-stop flight at 500 miles per hour that we can take today.
So how could a young man who made it safely through World War I, and so many other flights and adventures, die in a low-altitude crash? At the time, it was deemed to be an error in judgment due to inexperience with the aircraft he was testing.
Smith’s life and death is only one of many that can be considered a “triumph and tragedy”.
How To Choose Life Over Death
The story of Ross Smith reminds me of the essential things I need to recall when I lose someone important to me:
— Do I remember only how they died? Or, even while grieving the loss, do I remember how the person lived?
— Do I recall the positive things about their personalities?
— Am I grateful for the gift of sharing their life?
Because if I only remember the tragedy of their death, I not only lose them physically, my heart and soul lose them. And a conscious decision to choose death over life is an avoidable, unrecoverable tragedy I bring on myself.
What helps you choose to remember life over death?
Choose Life Over Death – What helps you choose to remember life over death? Share on XJoni Vance is an award-winning author of fiction, essay, and poetry. She loves mystery, history, and how God reveals Himself every day.
May God reveal the mystery of His love in your life story.