Last Thursday, 12th June, I was deeply immersed in work when my screen showed a Whatsapp notification from my husband. AI171 had crashed. Over two hundred souls who boarded with everyday hopes – a business trip, a reunion, a return home, a new start – didn’t make it back. Families. Children. Oh my God, the Children…. That was almost too heavy to comprehend. A cold, clammy hand gripped my heart, squeezing out every ounce of blood. A stone dropped in the pit of my stomach. This couldn’t be happening. Such things are not supposed to happen. Aren’t airplanes one of the safest modes of transport?
And no, I did not have anyone I personally knew on the flight. But the feeling of dread and terror gripped me completely. The visuals on the news took me back to the vivid airplane crash nightmares I used to have in my 20s – even before I started flying frequently. A plane going up in flames mid-year, a seat falling through the air, sometimes I was in the plane, sometimes I was witnessing the crash. Some of those visuals from my nightmares are still preserved in my memory and so is the heavy feeling associated with those dreams. But this was no nightmare, this was no ‘Final Destination’ movie or the series ‘Manifest’ that we used to watch with a mix of horror and fascination.
This was a real, live tragedy and I along with millions of others was finding it hard to come to terms with. In the last of couple of years, I felt I had lost all my ability to feel. There has been a creeping numbness taking over me slowly. The multiple ongoing wars across the globe, famines, tragedies closer home like the terror attack in Pahalgam, stampedes in Kumbh and Bangalore, Impact Guru and Keto ads showing dying kids – even premature twins in need of medical help (my own twins were premature) – nothing really ‘reached me’. I guess it is just easier to build walls around our feelings to keep going. But this crash cracked through those walls. It shook me awake. It reminded me how fragile life really is. Some moments demand that we feel everything, even when all we want is to stay numb.
With the family spread across two countries and multiple cities, we are a flying family. And I travel very often for work. So, we are very familiar with the flying rituals, the airport photographs, the airplane selfies, the hugs, the farewells, last minute packing, weighing and so on. We carry the usual mix of excitement, nerves, and routine that comes with taking to the skies.
Just yesterday my entire family flew back to India. I flew for work the evening before. My extended family took to the skies just 3 days before the crash… in the last 6 weeks, my family took some 10+ flights within and outside India.
How thin the line really is between here and gone. We live as though time is endless — that there will always be more chances to say what matters, to show up, to make things right. But there may not be. Perhaps we need to start believing that a normal day is enough of a blessing, in these times. Perhaps we should hug more and harder, say ‘I Love You’ more often, try to be more present – to really listen, to show up, to hold on to the moments that matter. And perhaps I should finally make my will. Because, you never know. “Kal Ho Na Ho” (There may be no tomorrow).
We like to think we’re in control — of our schedules, our plans, our futures. But moments like these remind us otherwise. The sky, a symbol of freedom and possibility, can suddenly become a place of unimaginable loss. It’s humbling to realize how little we actually control. And how much our safety is in the hands of others… Maybe control has always been a story we tell ourselves. We plan, we prepare, we board flights assuming we’ll land. But the truth is, we are always – always – just a heartbeat away from being reminded of how fragile it all is. My Kazakh driver in Almaty always used to say, “Happy Up and Happy Down” after dropping us at the airport – and now it seems more like a prayer rather than a cheerful send off.
And so tonight, and always, I offer that simple blessing — happy up, happy down — to every soul in the sky, to every heart left waiting below, and in remembrance of those who never made it home.
Happy Up, Happy Down. Every time. Always.
This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Ratna Prabha.
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Regards, Sakshi aka tripleamommy
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Love you.
Just two words, aren’t they enough to show that the message has been assimilated.
❤️
The news shook us all to the core, especially learning about the loss of so many lives, including children. It was truly devastating. Life is fragile and unpredictable, we have been reminded constantly, especially since Covid. Happy Up, Happy Down—these words have never held more profound meaning than they do now.
Our flight to Poland was scheduled on 13 June. Imagine our plight. One of the most tragic news of my life so far. May God protect us all.
It’s true how fragile life can be, how quickly happiness can spiral into something scary and surreal. It’s like one moment you’re cruising through life, and the next moment everything flips upside down. I am very grateful for every “up” moment, a little more aware that a “down” can come out of nowhere.
Even I had said that the whole plane crash and falling on the building was like Final Destination. Who would imagine a plane crashing near you while you’re having lunch? It’s terribly sad.
The Ahmedabad air tragedy shook all of us up.Suddenly life seemed like a bubble, it could burst anytme.We stopped taking things and people for granted, our hearts filled with gratitude for having our loved ones alive. I think this title ‘Happy Up, Happy Down’ truly sums up the feeling.
Interesting read. I kept thinking about the balance between bearing witness and centring ourselves in moments like this
“How thin the line really is between here and gone.” That’s so profound. Sometimes, you can’t even see there’s some line which is crossed, but sometimes, you know its existence for quite long time. We should just not take someone for granted and value their existence. Enjoy the company while it lasts!
Happy up, Happy Down! Life is so unpredictable. You just have to have a fatalistic attitude towards life. I think we should learn how to be detached.I have lost my husband and young son, just like that. When I saw the news flashing on YouTube, I was shaken. I was going through anxiety as it is and it just shot up! How many families would be affected, how many lives would be grieving?We are told time heals, but there is no timeline for grief or loss. Just live each day is the new age mantra, I guess.
The loss of lives at the airplane crash felt too personal even though none of my relatives or friends were in that flight. I was disturbed for many days, I hope that government takes strict actions towards avoiding such accidents in the future. Praying for the families of the departed souls. Om Shanti
That was one scary crash, killing people in sky and on the ground. But yes, the reality is that we don’t know what’s gonna happen the next second. We must make the best of all that is now. Kal ho na ho, abhi toh hai!
Life! That incident was enough to say that life is unpredictable. In the sky, on the ground, at home, or in a hostel.
One day before the incident took place, we had boarded an AI flight that was delayed for a long time due to technical glitches. Life is so uncertain; we should try to love every moment.
That plane crash has affected all of us. Your wise post just reiterated what we know – tomorrow is not promised anymore.
Honestly this incident also shook me and just after 18 mins of this incident I get to know about it through Instagram. Initially I was believing it as AI reel…. But no…. I felt so scared . In next 4 days was my mom’s flight back to her home town and my husband will accompany him… I literally cried and asked them no to go via flight I am scared….. But I gained confidence… gave them the power codes to chant while travelling…. although I was tensed …. but they reached safely and husband again returned to me safely. I really feel for the passengers who lost lives and their unconsolable families. God please gave them power to bear the pain.
A very a poignant reflection, Sakshi. Your words truly capture how fragile life is and the importance of cherishing every moment. Thank you for sharing this reminder to be present and grateful.
This hit me hard. Such a powerful reminder of how fragile and unpredictable life really is. “Happy up, happy down” – I’m going to carry that with me every time someone I love takes a flight. Thank you for sharing this so honestly.
Oh dear … I too felt that same tightness in my chest after reading the news.
I didn’t know anyone personally either, but it was impossible not to feel the weight of it.
And that line about how thin the line really is between here and gone… it just stayed with me.
A horrendous accident . Feeling so sorry for the families. I too am terrified of planes and this has added to my anxiety
Life is so fragile, right? I could understand how relatable this tragic accident is for you, being a flying family. It would be too scary. But let’s always trust and hope for only the best.
This piece shook me. You captured the surreal grief, the helpless empathy, and the weight of collective tragedy so honestly. Sometimes, pain pierces through even our strongest emotional armor. Beautifully written
Such a heart-crushing read. I really love the way you reflected life and the absurdity of life. All we can do is pray for their families and be grateful for each moment we live and make sure it’s worth it.
This was so scary. You are right that seeing disturbing news day in and day out can make us immune. Accidents like these remind us of the unpredictability of life.
This incident really shook is all. I can imagine how you feel. But let’s stay positive always.
This airplane tragedy shook many, not just those of the families who were on the flight. Life is so uncertain, and yet we never learn our lesson of love and contentment.
Life has no guarantee these days; it is so fragile that anything can happen at any time. Live your life to the fullest until your last breath.
This poignant reflection on the fragility of life resonated deeply with me. It reminded me to cherish every moment, express love freely, and embrace the unpredictability of existence with grace. A heartfelt tribute to the preciousness of now.
That horrific crash shook us all. Your sentiments resonate with me.