Remembering Liane: Life Lessons from the Arctic

I’ve lived above the Arctic Circle for almost two years now, and I’ve flown at least two dozen times on a single engine prop plane.

Sometimes I take videos of landings, but more often I take pictures of the images below.

^{Over Washington State: Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, or Mt. Hood. Two out of three are correct. ☺️}

I’ve landed in sunshine, snow, and sleet. I’ve flown over mountain ranges, dormant volcanoes, the frozen Chukchi Sea, and the liquid Chukchi Sea.

During all these flights, I don’t think I’ve ever been overly concerned. I mean, I guess the first time, I was a little apprehensive, but really. I felt it more of an adventure at that time. I usually say a quick prayer and that’s it.

However, I will definitely feel anxious this Sunday when I make my first flight out of Point Hope following the plane crash that took the life of my friend, Liane Ryan. She died on the same type of plane that I’ll be flying on and with the same airline.

Liane was pure sunshine. She was always happy, helpful, and kind. After a long career as a teacher, she became part of the Alaska Statewide Mentor Project, and Tikigaq was one of her schools. When I arrived in Point Hope in the fall of 2023, I was put into Liane’s care for my first year teaching in Alaska. I never knew she’d be a lifelong friend in a very short time.

It sounds so trite, but to know Liane was to love her. She was a strong Christian, a proud wife, mom, daughter, and loved her role as a grandmother.

I loved when I saw her name come up on my phone. I had a weekly Zoom meeting with Liane, and Wednesdays quickly became my favorite day. While she was a mentor, before long, she became so much more to me. She was an Alaskan expert, a confidante, an advocate for me, but more than anything a true friend.

She only made it to Point Hope once last year because of all the bad weather, but we had the best time! We took her with us on our daily trip to the post, invited her into our classrooms, had dinner, and played a fun, fast-paced card game. I hate that I never asked her to email me the instructions. I thought I had time. But that’s just it. We don’t have time.

Martin and I went to a workshop in Anchorage a few months ago. It had become a thing to see Liane anytime we went through Anchorage. I sent her a text to see if she would be available.

And that was it. That’s how Liane and I ended our text message thread. We all knew about Alaska weather and had already experienced getting stuck in locations. I just never knew that was the last time I would text her or the picture below would be the last time I’d see her in person.

We met up at Moose’s Tooth Pub and Pizzeria in the summer.

On February 6th, Liane was flying from Unalakleet to Nome with 8 other passengers. It is about a 150 mile trip over Norton Sound.

The trip should have taken about an hour, but it never arrived in Nome. The Cessna crashed about 30 miles from the small airport. A day later the craft was found on a moving ice floe. My friend, the pilot, and eight others all lost their lives. The cause of the accident is under investigation, but many theorize icy weather may have caused the accident.

I can’t stop myself from thinking about the last thoughts of Liane. I pray the crash was fast, but I know there had to be a few seconds of panic. That thought breaks my heart.

The same type of plane that crashed a month ago is the one I will board on Sunday. The small Cessna is also the one I’ll use to fly home this summer and return next fall. Bering Air has a great track record, and I have confidence in the company that’s been around since 1979. But that doesn’t mean I won’t be a little unsettled.

Martin and I had the plane all to ourselves during our one hour flight to Kotzebue in January. We were hoping to see Liane in Anchorage.

You know, we always think we will have more time. Don’t worry, Lord, I have plenty of time to call the parents, forgive the spouse, spend quality time with the children, and check on the friend. Until the time is gone.

I shot this video last week thinking of James 4:14. Life is truly like a vapor.

Life is like this blowing snow. It’s here but a second and then gone.

Live the life you want today. Tomorrow is not promised. Liane lived her life to the fullest and always knew she belonged to Jesus. That is now my mission. I want to live my life with a purpose and not put off what God told me to do yesterday.

If I hadn’t listen to His call two years ago, I would have missed this incredible opportunity in Alaska. I think how dull my life would have been not knowing the beautiful souls in Point Hope, including my sweet students that I love with my whole heart.