Glad it's not Monday anymore

I don't know why I get maudlin on Mondays. Ellie has Taco Tuesdays; maybe I should have Maudlin Mondays.

I didn't get a chance to blog about the event I hosted last week. We had a chance to host several generals and rear admirals here to learn about the work we're doing in helping develop new treatments for wounded military personnel. I've written before about the need for these treatments; it's vitally important. They also wanted to learn about the program we have in face and hand transplant, which is a big part of the work I do. And yes; I'm being a bit cryptic for a reason. I don't want to give away too much, as it wasn't a public event.

I'll just say that the day went swimmingly. Better than super-fantastic, truth be told. I felt proud of the work the team did and to toot my own horn for a moment (you'll indulge me a little toot, won't you?), I totally rocked the whole "gather the right people in the right place at the right time and get them to say the right thing", thing.

The funniest part of the day was when the general's aide-de-camp called my cell phone.

"We're about 40 minutes late taking off. We're going to try to make up some time in the air, but we might be about 30 minutes late."

It was supposed to be a 90-minute flight; I figured they might make up 10-15 minutes, but I wasn't holding my breath.

45 minutes later, my phone rang again. "We're landing right now."

"You're what?"

"We're landing. Does the limo have clearance to come onto the tarmac?"

"Wait; you just took off 45 minutes ago. It's supposed to be a 90-minute flight. How did you do that???"

"It's the general's plane Ma'am." I could hear the smile in her voice. "I believe his exact words were, Punch this thing, Son. I don't want to miss lunch."

It's good to be the king, I guess. ;)

All of the presentations went great. The military folks asked a ton of questions and were genuinely interested in the program. As he left, the general pressed his personal coin into my hand. "You're doing good things here. You give these young men hope. I appreciate it."

Anyway, when the world looks bleak, sometimes it's good to remember that there are reasons to keep going and there are people who appreciate the effort.

Maybe next time, he'll let me ride in the jet. ;)