How the Germanwings tragedy feels, up close.
It’s been raining for the past couple of days in Düsseldorf. I look outside the window as I sit to write this and it’s grey and drizzling. The constant drizzle is fitting for how it feels to be in this city right now.
It’s a city in a state of mourning, a city in complete shock. It feels like everything is at a standstill. Düsseldorf is a humble and open-minded place that feels uncomfortable in the spotlight – especially when the spotlight is shined on an overwhelming tragedy.
When my husband and I first heard the news about flight 4U 9525 our immediate feelings were of shock and fear.
We were due to fly this same route in two weeks’ time with the same airline, on the same plane. “What’s wrong with the plane?” we thought. “Should we fly with them?” “How often do they maintain their fleet?” It feels so selfish now to think these were our first thoughts, yet there were still so many unanswered questions.
As news about the flight continued to unfold, the whole nation was glued to the TV and constantly seeking updates online. We learned that there were no survivors, and our initial thoughts about whether our own flight was in jeopardy turned to utter sadness for the passengers and their loved ones. It was simply unfathomable and I couldn’t stop thinking about all of these people and what they must have been feeling.
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The next day my husband called. He said that he had some bad news. He told me that his teammate at work was one of the passengers on the plane. I was dumbfounded – at first I couldn’t believe it. I asked him if he wanted to come home, but his team remained together at work in solidarity, supporting each other. I couldn’t imagine how they must be feeling. We ended the call with the usual “Ich liebe dich” [I love you], however this time it felt more important than ever to say it.
My husband’s colleague was a person who had absolutely everything to live for – a positive and happy person who, together with their long-term partner, travelled to Barcelona with all the very best intentions. It sounded like a romantic getaway; a long weekend in one of Europe’s most stunning cities. The thought crossed my mind if they had plans to marry. Perhaps this was the trip where they would get engaged. We’ll never know. Their beautiful life together was cut short way too soon.
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As the world remains glued to the news and the real cause and motive for this tragedy has come to light – I make a choice not to focus on these bytes of information. I prefer to share a message that we can all take away from this devastation:
Life is fleeting, life is precious. Grab it with both hands and a full heart. Don’t let pettiness take over – put things into perspective. Tell your loved ones you love them. Remember that you are alive, healthy and happy – and that’s all that matters.
It could have been us and we are so grateful it wasn’t. But we will continue to stand together and mourn the loss of so many people, from all corners of the globe, who had every good intention that day.
As I turn towards the window, I can see small patches of blue in the sky and the first rays of sun.
Tanya Garma is an Australian expat currently living in Düsseldorf, Germany with her husband. She work’s as a freelance brand communications consultant and writer.
Top Comments
I also live in Düsseldorf, and agree the grief in the city is palpable. Being a true "Dorf" (village) everybody seems to know someone affected by this tragedy and it is heartbreaking beyond belief. (I have not worn mascara for a week now.) In some ways the weather seems appropriate, along with flags at half mast adorned with their black mourning banners. (I have not seen these banners before.)
One of the aspects that has struck me over the past week is the enormous cultural differences in how the tragedy has been approached here. More than ever it is evident how pragmatic the german people are, the news has focused on facts rather than speculation, and other than the opera singer not a single photo of a local victim has been released to the media, and the vast majority have not been named. The comments in the media (social and official) have overwhelmingly been expressing outrage at what many feel to be insensitive intrusion into people's right to privacy during such a tragic time - in stark contrast to the tabloid (grief-porn, highly speculative) media from other countries.
Official memorials are scheduled, the police will keep the tabloids at bay, and we are all reminded of how mortal we are, and - as per your very apt quote above- how precious life is.