Dear friends,
We are definitely in some interesting times. Stress is high with the possible impending layoffs.
Anyone who knows my background knows I have lived through some very interesting times.
In 1979 I had the experience of swimming away from a helicopter accident in the Gulf of Mexico untouched.
I had the unfounded opinion I had a “once in a lifetime experience”.
In 1991 while riding in a helicopter in the Gulf I had to swim away from another Helicopter after knocking off the blades on the top deck of a platform.
I can tell you this at that moment I was inconsolable at how this could happen to me twice in a lifetime. As I was treading water with the helicopter submerged below me I had an epiphany. Was I on the chopper because God was mad at me or was I there to help the others?
Although I had fractured both my ankles and had five ruptured disks I was alive and all my fellow passengers were alive and amazingly I was one of the water survival instructors and had been in both marine aviation accidents when no one was lost.
Here I am twenty-five years later still working in the oilfield with a bunch of great people enjoying a great career.
My thing here is don’t judge the ”moment” and project the future, you might be surprised at what might actually await you.
P.S. If you ever see me in your plane, wait for another flight!
Tommy Browning