For those of you still following Landon’s journey, this will serve as the final update because all good stories should ideally end in victory, and this one does. Today marks six months since that terrible and tragic day the plane went down in New Mexico…. but the latest array of doctors we visited at University of Utah last week collectively agree that Landon has exceeded ALL expectation. Such music to our ears.  Maybe miracles do happen, or maybe they’re simply a combination of great hospital care, great doctors and nurses, timing, love, luck, and of course God and prayers. His bones are magically knitting back together and he has gone from not only surviving, but to actually thriving. Landon has fought one heck of a fight, never once complaining or asking “why me”. He has just about finished the race now, always keeping the faith. There are scars from hell to breakfast but each one shows what he has been through and reminds him and us how strong he has been coming out of it. He has reserves that he never  imagined, and has embraced each step of his recovery like a renegade and never, ever let it crush him.

     On Landons wrist is a small tattoo that reads “Impossible”. The “I’m is crossed out making it read “possible”. This is the imprint that doctors at University of New Mexico used to identify him to us immediately following the crash. It is absolutely serendipitous that this little motto would come to serve as one of his greatest encouragements. Good move on the tattoo which I never liked in the beginning, but have now grown to admire.

     Today Landon’s hope is to put this all into the rear view mirror  and continue doing what he loves to do, which is flying, and teaching others how to fly. He is back at work and resuming life as usual, but with  a new outlook as a whole after such a humbling and extraordinary journey.

     Many thanks to Becky Peterson, Russ’ incredible “take charge” niece that put this page together when, in the early days, we were paralyzed with fear and doubt, and literally unable to speak. Also to those that said prayers, brought food, helped keep the ranch afloat, and kept his dreams of flying again alive. 

Gratefully