There are moments in time so small but so momentous depending where you are viewing it from. I lie here and remember the horror that might have been, so recently in my own city streets. But right now I am here to feel the subtle rock of the water moving my stilled body no grander that the movement made from my own heart beat. Subtle but momentous pending where you are at in your life.
My thoughts drift onto our sailor friend who in a split second went from an ocean crossing to a living nightmare after his vessel hit something in the vastness of the Pacific Ocean. This is parallel to my thoughts for the man who yesterday yelled at his wife "get out of the shop - now!" I did think to myself- shopping can't be that bad. But as I too made my way out I was directly swept into the slipstream of people being scooped out to the rear of the building by the suited outstretched arms of security. In that second I became one of those confused people doing as we were instructed to exit the building immediately. I wondered why there weren't any alarms ringing, and then heard those key words of the pending danger amongst the kerfuffle. My mind swung to he who hums and our many moments of fear shared, but this moment that day was for me to sort. How many times do we drift close to that same type of moment where life can change through no fault of your own. One instant in time where emotions outline the situation, be it of joy or horror. These kind of moments that sketch into your memory like a framed photo on the wall. Instantaneously the news mediums had it captured; the incident of a distraught gunman was on the radio as I hurriedly drove out of the city under siege that day. As do with other moments of magnificence that go straight to print to become a piece of history. Where do the parallels lead us? This magnitude of each life changing situation that shapes many people. It can begin with one and end with all, or begin with all and end with one. As for Sailor Rob, his surreal image of his beautiful boat slowly sinking into the crystal clear waters as he was lifted above filled with enormous gratitude for his life and nothing else.
I remember the same place different day in the Pacific Ocean where the long rolling swells lift and fall in glorious slow rolling rhythm. Where we had time to reflect clearly and navigate our way through our own journey. Where there wasn't any circumstance brought about by others or inflicting onto others. Out there your safety is your responsibly there is no outstretched arms to protect you. I am brought back by a siren where someone else's life takes a turns on this another sunny and innocent looking day. It will be significant to them whoever they are, and whatever angle of that ordeal they get to view may change them too. I shall go now and join he who hums at the breakfast table and begin what will be another historic day in Brisbane no matter what the day unfolds for us alone. No need to get a newspaper as the good... the bad... and the ugly will have front page bordered by today's date with more man-made moments that will be sadly or gladly tomorrow's fish and chip paper. Which leads me to my instantaneous hunger for food and life right here right now?

*Photo I took of the momentous occasion in Amsterdam of the Tall Ships sailing into the harbor It all looks smooth sailing from where I stood.