Farewell Lunch

We just got back from Hans' farewell lunch. It was so pleasant. For starters, I got Josiah to wear a collared shirt and khaki pants--that's no mean feat let me tell you. All three kids were shiny clean, dressed up and behaved themselves so incredibly well that I'm still reeling with the shock. Maybe it was all the uniforms and the fact that Daddy is always talking about how tough some of these guys are. Maybe that's what kept them subdued...who knows? Josiah didn't even sit by us, but hung out at the other end of the table, chatting it up with the guys down on that end. He took a poll and asked each person there where they were born. Still into the states, that one, though now he's beginning to branch out into countries as well. He can tell you where Azerbaijan is. Lunch was very nice (doesn't it always taste better when someone else buys it?!) and the conversation was good. Hans made a little speech and recieved a very nice plaque--I'm not even kidding--for once, it's something I wouldn't mind seeing on the wall instead of making sure it's hidden in the bottom of the box in the basement! You Navy girls know what I'm talking about, right?

I was surprised at how many of these tough and gruff looking Marines hugged Hans when it came time for them to leave. So many of them approached me to tell me how much they enjoyed working with him, how he's given them a new perspective on SWOs and how he's pretty much the smartest guy they've ever met. I know that he is amazingly good at what he does, but it was nice to hear firsthand. What a sincerely great bunch of people! As Hans said later on "I work with heroes"...and I couldn't agree more. Oh, and the lady in the picture with him is our good friend and sponsor Jen.

Three more days...