BAGHDAD IN THE MORNING

Today is day 2 of our humanitarian journey. I am here in Maastricht, Holland, at the airport with John Connell and Randy Weiss of AmeriCares awaiting our Russian-made Aleutian cargo plane. Yes, it is the same one on which the rear door opened yesterday over the Congo losing a number of passengers. Of course, the three of us are aware of the fact that this news is playing all over CNN, which our wives are probably watching. Our joke is that we will be sure to sit up front!

John called my room last night and in an excited voice told me the airspace problem had been solved. Turkey had a problem with us flying over so AmeriCares has arranged the flight to go over Syria.

So it seems tomorrow morning we will be flying in to Baghdad airport with our planeload of medical supplies.

My mission is to photograph an AmeriCares doctor who is on the ground there. And the offloading of the supplies to be used in hospitals in Iraq.

The whole idea makes me feel good because it is a positive step in helping my fellow humans. I am inspired by the zeal and dedication that John and Randy have for their job. They wake up every morning to help out their fellow humans--we should all be doing so well!

So, the computer just gave me the two minute warning. I'll just say I love you to anyone listening and to Monika, Evan, Andrew, Mom, and Dixie the dog. Love IS what makes the world go 'round!