Today
Today. 21 years.
This is a message to many friends, indeed comrades, who have shared skies with an aging Sherm or who have shared a common path these last 21 years though unknown personally to Sherm.
There is no spin to this note. No anguish or recrimination. No hidden message of reproach to those who have different stories, different values, different allegiances. No need for rolled eyes because it’s not your world. If there are lessons to be drawn…..draw them. Sherm neither preaches nor judges. I am, as always on this day, adding another stone to the little cairn I and many others have been building along the road these last 21 years saying to the traveler who takes time to rest and think “Many good pilots passed this way”. Many…… indeed too many, have not passed the other way yet to come home. And they will not. Remember them.
Home, Chez Sherm, now overlooks the South China Sea in tropic splendour. Though as a blessing today is spent on leave back in Australia. This anniversary has been spent in many places over the years. Deep into Arctic skies in Sherm’s beloved 777. In Asian markets, Scandinavian forests, Spanish resorts, New Zealand ski fields. At the Spanish Steps in Rome with some very fine friends and even finer cognac. Alone in Atlanta with room service and a beer. Even missed altogether on one occasion due to the vagaries of the Dateline.
As he moves inexorably to the day where his wings will be put away for the last time, Sherm wishes to have it known and reminded to all he has met along the road, or is yet to meet, and to those too young to know, that he remembers the one key fact of life. That aside from our family....(and a silent thanks to their forbearance these 21 years of distance and steadfastness)..... and the very depths of our souls where we commune only with our Maker, pilots have each other. In and out of the cockpit, only each other.
As the days ahead unfold, remember that. If you have time or reason to re-evaluate what you have done or what you might do in the mistier parts of the path forward yet to unfold….use your time well. Others will look after you less well than will your fellow aviators. I commend that thought to you.
Safe flying
Sherm