A recent plane crash in Toronto seems to be related to landing gear. It is possible that the landing gear failed on impact which lead to the plane tipping and one wing breaking up. That lead to the plane rotating and collapsing upside down. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, but several people were hospitalized.
This got me thinking about landing gear.
When I get into a plane my anxieties around untoward events usually focus around weather, bird strikes, engine failure … almost everything except landing gear. I always assume they will work. Now, I have a new plane-related anxiety.
When I think about it metaphorically, though, I wonder about my own landing gear. My psychological and sociological landing gear. What keeps me vertical when things go haywire?
The landing gear on a plane is small, but it holds a lot of weight. In fact, it may be that small thing that holds the whole thing together that we never think about, like the computer chips, or bank accounts, or passports that we rely on in our travels.
In personal terms, my landing gear is my family; my children, my siblings, my nieces and nephews. They have known me for decades, have seen me through various difficulties and occasional crises, and have supported me despite my shortcomings.
My landing gear also includes my friends and former co-workers. Some of them still keep in touch, but even if they don’t I feel as though they are part of my support system. It’s an unspoken “We’ve got you” that underlies my sense of self.
If my landing gear relied entirely on my own self-assurance, it would not be very reliable, but having family, friends, and acquaintances who back me up makes me more stable and more likely to survive intact when wind gusts throw me off-balance.
Even though, as an introvert, I enjoy a lot of alone time, my landing gear is still with the people in my life who hold me up. I should probably do a better job of maintaining those connections.
Snowbird of Paradise 
The beautiful thing about it is that those connections are there even without “maintenance”. But yeah…you should definitely have anxiety about planes landing! (Smile)
So true, on both counts!
Beautifully said, Anne. Family and friends really are our landing gear. I’ve been experiencing a need for gear recently and Alice and my middle son Brian have truly not only proven to be excellent landing gear but also helped with the wind beneath my wings. I will spare you the details here. Just to say that I will be fine due to all their caring and support. Sending love and even a hug your way. Mary Beth
I’m so glad that you have Alice and Brian to help you when needed. I hope you will continue to be fine.
Thanks for the love and the hug, Mary Beth. Sending some of both right back at you.
I love the analogy! I have an introvert friend who would agree with you, that she needs to consciously attend to those important relationships. We get together over lunch periodically, and she knows it is best if we set our next get-together before we part ways. To make sure we actually meet up again!
That’s a great idea, Lorna. I should do that, too.
Yes, it works! Even if things come up, we will know to contact each other and reschedule.
Yes it is a great analogy ! Sometimes though I just pull the parachute cords and pray I land on my feet. Thankful I have connections that do help but it is hard for me to ask or even let them know I am struggling.
I know those feelings, Susan! Why is it so hard for us to let people know when we are struggling? It’s a mystery.