WHO PACKS YOUR PARACHUTE?

 Written by: Ankush Bhalerao

Those were the days of the battle of egos. In 1967, during the early hours of 19th May, Captain Charlie Plumb took his final flight as an American jet pilot. Enthusiastic, to converge with his family in the coming five days towards the end of his tour, he was shuttling over North Vietnam for his 75th combat mission. The sky was clear, the winds stuffed with the thrill of victory; this war that caused millions to suffer and shed tears right from its onset had started dwindling amidst treaties and calls for peace from international communities. Abruptly, Plumb felt a powerful jerk from behind, the sirens went on, and boom-

His jet had got into the range of the enemy and exploded. Dexterous commander, as Plumb always was, within a fraction of a second pushed the red button and escaped the plane through a pointy ejection, a moment before it was doomed. His parachute hovered high over the bright morning skies of Hanoi and got him landed safely. But now, he knew this was going to be the last sigh of relief. He was instantly seized and taken as a prisoner. Plumb was going to spend the rest of his life in the darkness. 

Times changed. The world ratified the postulates of brotherhood and humanity. The Geneva Convention was signed, and after having survived vicious torture for six years of nightmares in an 8*8 feet cell, Plumb was set free. He received a grand welcome in the United States. Plumb was clearly a hero now, for all Americans. He brought laurels to the nation, and President Nixon was in complete awe. He received several accolades, continued flying for few more years before retiring, and then lectured the survival expertise.

Years later, one day, when Plumb and his wife were rejoicing in a restaurant, a silvery voice came from behind.

"Captain Plumb, are you? Kitty Hawk Carrier... You were shot-down, weren’t you?" Charlie was used to zealous admiration, but this man seemed unusual, especially the subtle aspects he knew. 

“Yes, I am. But how in the world d'you know that?”

“I packed your parachute that day," the man delighted with a spark in his eyes. “Guess it worked!”

“It sure did, I wouldn’t be here today if it hadn’t,” Plumb smiled with gratitude, left astonished before the man walked away.

Plumb couldn't help but contemplate that night. "Years before, how did the man look-like? The Navy uniform, white hat, bell-bottom trousers... How many times he might’ve passed by? And I might not even have noticed, not even greeted him- 'Good morning, how are you?' I was a wingman and him just a sailor. For how many long hours did he delicately knit and fold that piece of silk and sealed my destiny!"

Who Is Packing Your Parachute? 

Plumb needed many parachutes that day, a physical one – to survive the free-fall, a mental parachute – to accept the descend in the territory of the adversary, an emotional one – to sustain the barbarism, and a spiritual one. We face challenges daily. We outlive them with comfort, heedless of how someone saved the day by outlining the pivotal moments we fail to consider. So many things we believe facilely manageable, but in the complete dark of how so many people strive for it every day.

Do You Care For Them?

What we tend to miss is really vital. Just thank someone for altruism, say hello, greet individuals around you without any reason. When the driver in the next vehicle makes the room, so your car makes way through the horrendous traffic, wave your hand. No wonder why that one friend of yours forwards you jokes on Instagram without speaking a word. Gratitude matters. For the one you are reliant on, even unknowingly. Who knows, those two words you tell them can make their day!

Just do something nice, to someone, without any reason. The universe makes sure it finds the way back to you. For infectious, thankfulness is. Be grateful that there is someone in the team who packs your parachute so well!