THE SILENT REVIEW_WINTER EDITION 2021_WEB

That the pull of who I used to be would be enough to coax
me out of the depths of my apprehension and headlong
into anticipation.
On the morning I returned to work, the Earth heaved
slowly back to life. Uniform. ASIC, Galley Guide, Service
Brief, Taxi, Coffee. Familiar tasks, once ordinary in their
routine, now possessing an element of alchemy in their
completion. The kinaesthetic sensation of a waiters-cloth
in hand, wine rack, silver service utensils; the tangible
feeling of their weight discovering poignant new meaning.
The sound of a closing atlas box, shifting of a service
cart, the click-clack groan of ovens roaring to life; these
familiar sensory triggers all contributing towards my ability
to triumphantly step back into myself. Fear and anxiety
instantly exhausting their ability to contain me, as tactile
reminders of who I used to be, willed me back to life.
And then of course there’s the crew.
The immediate and all-encompassing
acceptance of a workforce eager to
embrace each other’s unique colourfulness.
The simple act of being together again,
amplified by a sense of intrinsic belonging
that was never truly lost. Each and every
one of us carrying a story of how we’ve
been tenacious, deft and brave in the face
of overwhelming adversity. As a result,
it’s simply impossible not to marvel at each
other’s resilience and ability to withstand even the most
severe of life’s turbulence. The camaraderie, friendship and
solidary, solidifying my own sense of instinctive belonging.
Only yesterday, the tremendous joy of being perched
upon a red stool; laughing as tears streamed down my
cheeks, while we regaled each other with stories of flights
gone by. Buoyed by the knowledge that, despite what has
fundamentally changed, much more has indeed stayed
the same.
It’s certainly been a remarkable month and one I’ll
undoubtedly never forget. Despite navigating various
border restrictions, lockdowns, cancelled flights and roster
adjustments, acknowledging the pull to fly has been worth
it in ways too numerous to count. It goes without saying
that the road to recovery isn’t going to be perfect, but I’m
absolutely confident that while we remain open to being
adaptable, that it also leaves us open to new, unique
opportunity. That while it’s impossible not to grieve for
what has been lost, it’s also possible to walk into the future
with curiosity and resolve, while we carve out a new and
exciting tomorrow.
14 WINTER EDITION 2021