We went into massive denial because what could we do other than completely freak out?

You protect that because it pays folks' salaries that we're depending on -- music teachers, librarians. Yeah, there are needs at the site level. But let's not lose sight of this other thing we have going and make sure we're all in it together.

Wayne and I are trying to keep an even keel and talk to our boys a lot, more than we normally do. This has been a real binding event. It kind of keeps your perspective.

Fortunately, there was one nearby. He didn't have a signal on his cell phone.

He was descending from 8,000 to 7,000 feet when the engine conked out.

And that is how we are. By strength of will we cut off our inner intuitive knowledge from admitted consciousness. This causes a state of dread, or apprehension, which makes the blow ten times worse when it does fall.