The Golden Miracle!

We go through life considering ourselves separate from everyone else, living our own lives and oblivious to all else that is going on around us. But every so often we are reminded of how truly alike we are. I’m speaking of those incredible moments when due to something going on half way across the world, we are compelled to STOP. It’s in these moments when we see that something outside of ourselves is in fact a big part of US.

Such a moment took place on Anzac day 2006, when three unknown miners from Beaconsfield Tasmania were trapped underground in the towns goldmine. We felt the pain of their families and cried when news came through that one man’s body had been found - that of Larry Knight. What were the chances of finding the other two men alive? We hoped, we cried, we shared the emotions of those close to them praying that a miracle would take place – and prayer won through! Six days after the disaster took place, it was announced that a rescuing miner accidentally stumbled in the right direction. With darkness all around him he called out their names and received a glorious response. Both Todd Russell and Brant Webb responded – they were alive!

Joy resounded not only amongst their families, friends and Beaconsfield, but also amongst all of us everywhere. What a feeling to know that a miracle was indeed taking place. There was elation and celebration as the remaining two miners had been found alive, but what had not been conceived was just how long it would take to actually free them. An estimated time of a day or two turned out to be a painstakingly long and dangerous rescue mission. All that unfolded touched our hearts as several times over the next eight days they came so close yet so far! Still, we watched and waited in hope and prayer that those God sent rescuers would break through the rock safely and find their way to Todd and Brant.

I for one was in awe of the Beaconsfield community. They selflessly gave of their time in comforting all who were involved providing endless support, food and love. Each morning I would wake up and cast my first thought to the goldmine scene, “Maybe this morning – maybe today”. Each day there was disappointment, though deep down I knew it wouldn’t be long and that everything needed to be just right.

Through it all prayers went out to the family of Larry Knight who showed true human kindness in their time of sadness, wishing Todd and Brant a safe return. They delayed Larry’s funeral for as long as they could in the hope that Todd and Brant would be present. Eventually they felt the need for closure and scheduled it to take place on the 9th of May 2006, exactly two weeks after the disaster. In the end their prayers and ours were answered. On the morning of Larry’s funeral it was as though spirit and determination truly kicked in, as Todd and Brant were rescued. At 4.50am the rescue mission came to a glorious and miraculous end. I cried at 7am for the first time that morning, as the vision of Todd and Brant walking out into the open air of Beaconsfield and into the arms of their loved ones appeared on my television screen. Through tears of heartfelt joy did I see two men, huge not only in stature but in spirit.

They I believe, were put on this earth to experience this event as a means by which to show us all who we truly are – powerful and able to get through anything. Their will, faith and the will and faith of others, made for their survival. For Todd and Brant life would never be the same again, and I know that I speak on behalf of many others when I say that my life too would never be the same again. I feel a surge of power move through my body whenever I see the faces of those amazing men. They are a mirror of everything that we are - their lives are an indication of the miracles possible in our lives.

My thoughts go out to Larry Knight and his loved ones. For reasons that are not physically known to us his time had come to cross over. As mentioned earlier his family had delayed his funeral for as long as possible in the hope that Todd and Brant could be present. Both men said they’d walk out of that mine and they did. So too would it be possible for them to be present at Larry’s funeral. Yet another miracle!

As I sat in the wonder of it all on that beautiful morning of the rescue, I fleetingly recalled the morning of the 9/11 disaster. What an amazing contrast of emotions, and yet regardless of whatever is going on in the world there is one common denominator – the sure fire love and support of humankind, and the ability to both mourn and celebrate the life of another. When it really counts we are shown a truth – that in reality there are no strangers. We all friends, all ONE, and eager to access the miracles in life!