'If's 'but's and 'it could've been me's - the Sydney Seige

There are often times in life when you wonder how life would be different if something had happened or if you'd made a different choice but life takes a different course and you end up elsewhere. Usually these thoughts are inconsequential, life is still good, just different of unexpected. 

These reflections have never had the same impact as they did on 16th December 2014, the day of the Sydney Siege. At 9:45am local time, police were called to the Lindt Chocolate Cafe in Martin Place; up to 50 hostages were being held inside by a bandana-wearing gunman. As the news developed, spine-tingling images were released of terrified victims escaping and after a 16 hour siege, two brave hostages were killed along with the gunman. Those innocent victims who lost their lives were hailed heroes as they were shot protecting other hostages including a pregnant lady.

I could've been there. It could've been me escaping. Yes, there are still lots of 'if's and 'but's involved. If I'd got one of the many jobs I'd applied for I would've still been in Sydney but I didn't. If I'd had a day off I could've been in the cafe but I wasn't. But what makes these 'if's and 'but's more chilling are the fact that I'd spent time in that cafe, people went through a horrific ordeal, some didn't survive.  It genuinely could've been me. 

The following day Martin Place was filled with flowers. The public poured into the area to pay tribute to those held up in the siege. 

 

When I returned to Sydney a week later I visited Martin Square. The majority of floral tributes had been removed but seeing those remaining and being in the area that the horrendous images had been recorded is indescribable.  I'm not ashamed to admit that I shed a few tears. 

Life is often inexplicable but we should always be thankful for the 'if's and 'but's and make the most of, and make positive, the opportunities and situations we are faced with - whether intentional or unexpected.