On a passenger flight in 1987, the pilot heard an unusual noise near the rear of the aircraft. Henry Dempsey turned the controls over to his copilot and went back to check it out. As the plane hit an air pocket, Dempsey was tossed against the rear door, which had not been properly latched.  It fell open and Dempsey was instantly sucked out of the jet.

The copilot, seeing the red light on the control panel indicating an open door, radioed the nearest airport requesting an emergency landing. After the plane had landed, the ground crew found Henry Dempsey holding onto the outdoor ladder of the aircraft. Somehow, he had caught the ladder and managed to hold on for 10 minutes as the plane flew 200mph at an altitude of 4,000 feet. What is more, as the plane made its approach and landed, Dempsey had kept his head from hitting the runway, a mere 12 inches away. According to news reports, it took several airport personnel more than a few minutes to pry the pilot’s fingers from the ladder.

That is a picture of endurance – the ability to hang on when it would have been easier to let go. Endurance is the key that keeps us from giving up and letting go. Sunday’s postcard is Paul’s final word, as he challenges us to “Hang in there.”