The headwinds were against us – the flight that usually seems to pass in an instant drug on. and on. and on.

The pilot finally announced our descent into Oakland; my popping ears verified his words. I peered out the window. I love to watch the lights of the city grow larger and larger as we near the ground. All was dark, except for what appeared to be the runway lights. Had we landed? Not possible. I hadn’t felt a thing.

A deep, silky, let-me-be-your-man voice came over the p.a. system. “Smoooooooooooooooooooooooooth.”

We so had landed.