In Memory of the Lives Lost Over the Potomac River

Today, I’m taking a moment to mourn those who perished yesterday in a terrible air accident over the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport, just outside Washington, D.C. Reports indicate that 60 passengers and a crew of four on an American Airlines flight are feared dead, in addition to three soldiers who were flying on an Army helicopter.1 I started to watch the President’s update on the accident, but I had to stop because it was too painful to continue.

Instead of a Rockin’ Thursday music video, I want to offer a prayer and a quote.

In this time of sorrow and grief, we turn to you, God, 
and ask for strength and comfort for the family and friends of those who lost their lives in this tragic accident. May they find the courage to face the difficult days ahead. Amen.

“To be with another in this [empathic] way means that, for the time being, you lay aside your own views and values in order to enter another’s world without prejudice. In some sense, it means that you lay aside your self; this can only be done by persons who are secure enough in themselves…” — Carl R. Rogers

  1. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/crash-reagan-national-airport-washington-dc/ ↩︎

54 thoughts on “In Memory of the Lives Lost Over the Potomac River”

  3. Lovely tribute! When I flew to Texas and back in January, I looked around at the people I would be flying with and thought, “If the plane goes down, these are the people I will die with.” It sounds morbid, but it actually gave me comfort.

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    1. Thank you for your comments, Dawn. It might sound morbid to some people, but you are right, and I think it’s actually important to have those thoughts because they help us realize that life is short and that every minute counts. We need to cherish our loved ones while we are here on earth.

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    1. Yes, indeed. Thank you for reading and for your comments. Hopefully, the authorities can determine what happened and ensure that the findings help prevent future accidents—not only in the U.S. but also in other parts of the world.

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  8. Carl Rogers’ quote is very relevant. It reminds us to put our own feelings aside and really support those who are mourning. It is a strong reminder to show kindness and understanding, especially during tough times of loss.

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    2. I can’t say what I’m feeling any better than you did, Jane. Thank you for your words and Edward…thank you for your post. Any time I see a quote from the dear Carl Rogers is soothes. Just a bit. 💕

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        1. I know that the airport has control of all aircrafts, including military, in their airspace and that their communication systems are interoperable. I’m definitely going to be monitoring this one to read the findings of the investigation.

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        1. Well, Brad, all I’m going to say is that after watching a few minutes of the press conference, I was so sickened that I closed the browser. I really don’t know (I know, but I’m not going to say for my own spiritual well-being) what kind of people and their personal agendas will be in charge of running the different agencies in the next four years. But, from my leadership experience, I do know that what we are going to witness, for the most part, will be the textbook definition of toxic leadership. In my opinion, It doesn’t matter how competent a person is; if they are toxic, everything else is meaningless.

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