Have you ever been in a crowded place when suddenly all the noise and people seemed to fade away? Well, for much of August Ann and I were on vacation, and as our plane was preparing to board passengers, Ann went down the concourse in search of some lifesavers, I was left sitting by myself watching people move up and down the crowded hallway, and wondered about who they were as they were heading to their gates, or making their way to the baggage claim area. Then suddenly my eye was caught by a man who looked a great deal like someone I knew; a chief operating officer for one of the largest companies in the United States.