Intersections

Alright, I’ll set the scene…At the intersection of Drake and York, I’m waiting for the light to turn green, and lazily looking at tail lights. Because I’m stopped on top of the hill, this is what I see: many jet trails criss-crossing in the sky and disappearing over the horizon, car exhaust, and my dirty windshield. Scrambling for my phone so I can get a photo, I manage not to collide with the other vehicles. I know this vision is a sign for me. My phone captures the image, but meanings and lessons are elusive and still brewing for me.

Air traffic controllers are directing the jets’ paths in the sky, playing etch-a- sketch with jet trails. Pilots are just following orders and controllers are just doing their jobs. In order to travel in a straight line, we are constantly making minute course corrections as conditions change.

Jets can’t make 90 degree turns like humans are apt to do. In the sky, jumbo jets don’t make 3 point turns. Where can I get that etch-a-sketch? Jet trails cross paths and intersect, but the jets themselves don’t intersect In the 2  dimensional sky. Thank God.

I imagine someday soon there will be no need for pilots and AI and Siri will fly and navigate the jet. Siri will say in her sweet voice “You have arrived/at your destination.” I know my final destination is death. Meanwhile I think the sky is telling me to show up, pay attention and chart a good course. Be mindful of others sharing my airspace and yield the right of way. 

Remember to look up!