If Tony is Stellarossa, he's in Phoenix.

Maira and I have reached each other. Perhaps other friends would like to know what happened. We have a Guardian Angel. <BR> <BR>Our elder daughter contracted a rare and baffling form of cancer in 1991. After several operations -- including a liver transplant -- her cancer returned this past spring, after we had booked a tour of Egypt and Jordan. <BR> <BR>So we cancelled our tour in early August. Her cancer became worse, and we cancelled our tour in early August. She died peacefully in our arms on Sept. 30. <BR> <BR>She was -- and is -- our Guardian Angel. We were to have left New York on Egyptair Flight 990 on Oct. 30, last night.

Al your post gave me goose bumps. I extend my sympathy on your loss.

Al and Ruth: When I first heard that the Egyptair flight had gone down, my immediate fear was that the two of you were headed to Egypt about now. When the news came that several GCT/OAT groups were on board, I shuddered. <BR> <BR>Though the circumstances of your cancellation are the saddest any parent can have, your daughter truly was your guardian angel. <BR>

Al, glad you are ok. My sympathies as well. Really makes you think, doesn't it?

Dan, yes, we have been doing a lot of thinking. And questioning. Why us? Why NOT us? Why anyone? Perhaps someone up there has a further mission for a pair of 70-year-olds?

Al, my deepest sympathy on the death of your daughter. I can't know your grief, but I can know the darkness surrounding your daughter's illness - my eleven year old son is a cancer survivor. Thank God that you are safe, and you can bet that there is a reason.

Thank you Al, for posting your thoughts. I know words are inadequate to tell you how sorry I am about your daughter. My sister also had cancer.But the blessing of missing that terrible flight is awesome.

Al, <BR>Nothing I think to write seems adequate. Please accept my sympathy at the loss of your daughter, and please know many people are glad you were not on that ill-fated flight. <BR>Best, Pam

Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss

I have enjoyed your helpful postings over the past few months since I have followed the forum, and join the others in extending sincerest condolences to you and your family. It is touching how those who help others are truly cared about on this forum. <BR>As for the flight, what a breathtaking close call. Nothing close, but it made me think back to June, 1996, when I had flown from Athens to NYC on the very TWA plane that heads later on to Paris as flight 800. I was less than a month ahead of the fuel tank problem. Do we all travel aware of the risks or despite them--or maybe even, deep-down, because of them?

Today's Wall Street Journal has an article on its editorial page that sums up the flight-safety subject quite well. <BR>Each year, twice as many people are killed in traffic accidents as have been killed in commercial aircraft accidents in the entire history of commercial flight. Last year, 600 million persons flew commercially in the United States without a single fatality. The hazardous part of your journey begins once you leave your aircraft.

Al-- <BR> <BR>My deepest sympathy on the loss of your daughter. I, too, am glad that you and your wife were not on that flight. I am sure your guardian angel will let you know what the greater plans are for you.

Al.my condolences to You and Your family for your loss. You story has touched me. It is so sad but also positive. Your Angel will always be with you... <BR>

There aren't words to express the loss of a child; to have your child precede you in death is against the natural order of things. My sister lost her 30 year old son suddenly, and she took on the look of a startled deer. She began to recover as she grew close to her once-estranged daughter. Mysterious ways, and all that.... <BR> <BR>A man who lost his wife very suddenly, asked his minister how God could do that. Her reply was "when your wife died, God was the first to cry". <BR> <BR>Sympathy and tears for you, Al. <BR> <BR>

Dear Al, Your story brought tears to my eyes. I cannot even imagine what you and your wife must be going through. I pray that God gives you both the strength to endure this terrible loss. <BR> <BR>Please know that I too am one of the many who are so happy that you were not on that flight.

Al: <BR> <BR>Your story is both terribly sad and deeply touching. I cannot imagine the loss of one's own child. <BR> <BR>You are still meant to be in this world and share your worldly wisdom. And you'll always have your Guardian Angel watching over you . . . <BR>

Please accept my deepest condolences <BR>as well. I pray for strength to you.

Al - please accept my prayers and thoughts also on your grievous loss. <BR>On New Year's eve, we'll be celebrating, not the millenium, but our only daughter's sixth year since any chemo for childhood leukemia. This technically qualifies her as a "survivor", a term I can never use without knocking wood. <BR>I trust that you and your wife share with us one particular blessing: we treasure each and every day with our daughter, who just turned 11. We're building so many sweet and wonderful memories, knowing too well the uncertainty of life! <BR>Elvira - your story of the minister brought me to tears; I work with the Leukemia Society and a children's hospice here, and those thoughts will be repeated. Blessings to you all.

Al, thank you for sharing your story with us. We all get caught up in the travel bug on this forum and we need to stop and count our blessings every so often. I deeply sympathize with your loss and know you are grieving. I certainly believe your daughter is looking down on you right now from heaven and smiling at you with love. Take care.