This story came to my mind this morning (its from Rabbi Frand)
One day, Eliayhu Ha’navi decides to pay a visit to the Bais Hachayim (the cemetary), and give everyone a “one day pass” meaning, everyone stands up, in perfect health and is free to go and do whatever it is they please. But for one day only; after that, its back to the grave until techiyas hamaisim.
Needless to say, each and every person will put their day to good use. One will visit an aunt they always meant to; another will call a friend to apologize for something said proir to d-day; yet another will rush to finish the blatt he was in middle of, and then start the next blatt. And so on.
But not one will simply waste the day. Because they now now, that time is precious, and time can run out at a moments notice.
So (continues Rabbi Frand, in his booming voice) “vos is azio shlect” (yiddish for: what’s so terrible, but it sounds so much better in yiddish) if we (the people in the audience) have more than just a one day pass? Should’nt we make the most of each and every moment?
True, the rescue story was a great feat. And the miners have a lot to be thankful for.
But are they changed people? Ok, I’m not sure how a goy should react to this sort of life altering experience. I only saw the photo of one miner kneeling (perhaps not the way I express gratitude to my Maker, but it was a nice expression on the miner’s part. But when the media dies down, where do the survivors go from there? Are their kids / family changed people?
Still, it is a good story. If there’s a lesson I learn from this its this: never give up, and put your time to good use!