So Grateful

This story in USA Today highlights the vagaries of the human experience.

Evidently, US Airways has offered the survivors of the miraculous landing on the Hudson $5,000 for their ordeal. According to the story, "After the crash, US Airways sent passengers a letter of apology, a $5,000 check to assist "with immediate needs" and reimbursement for the ticket." Nice gesture.

But that is not enough for some of the passengers.

Joe Hart, a salesman from Charlotte who suffered a bloody nose and bruises, says he "would like to be made whole for the incident."

Excuse me? First of all, Joe, you LIVED! You had about a 5% chance of surviving that landing, and you walked away with a bloody nose and some bruises. No doubt the psyche was a bit bruised as well. But how in God's name can money make you "whole" for the incident? Sorry, Joe, the salesman, I am not buying it.

It's too soon after the accident to determine what emotional distress he has suffered, he says.

Well, I'd say for the folks who want more money, the emotional distress they suffered is a definite lack of proportion. They lived through this.

Now, I am aware that people lost personal items in the crash, and the emotional toll that this took. But you know, where is the gratitude?

I am sure that many of the passengers were immediately grateful to walk away from the plane, even if they got wet in the icy Hudson. But gratitude is not just a fleeting emotion, it is a long-term perspective on life.

Not all is lost, however.

Dave Sanderson, a father of four, says he's thankful he could celebrate his 48th birthday on Friday and has no reason to talk to an attorney.

"US Air has been doing the right thing," he says. "Everyone is acting in a responsible way."

Fred Berretta, who suffered a small cut on his head during the crash landing, says US Airways representatives have called frequently and treated him very well. He says that a few personal mementos from his father were left behind but that the money sent by US Airways covers the value of his belongings.

Berretta, who works for a financial services company, was flown home to Charlotte after the crash on his company's jet.

"I'm a private pilot, and I'm sure I'll be flying again," he says. "But it might be a little while before I fly for pleasure again."

Amber Wells of Charlotte says she's so thankful to have survived and to be with her 9-month-old daughter, Rayley, that she hasn't had time to think about her belongings.

She says she lost $2,000 of nursing equipment and a laptop computer, as well as a checked bag and a carry-on bag.

"Everything that's gone can be replaced," says Wells, 34, a senior manager for NASCAR. "My life cannot be replaced."

I think Dave, and Fred, and Amber have it right. Life is more precious than "stuff", and no amount of "stuff" can pay for whatever happened. But a grateful heart can make a glad life.