Good things are bound to happen

Whew! That was quick. Much like Coach Will Muschamp’s tenure on the sidelines at Auburn University, my trip to Kuwait has come and gone. It was a good trip, but as always, I’m glad to be back home.
I can’t sleep on commercial aircraft but can sleep like a baby on a military plane. The trip over was uneventful until the final two hour stretch from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait City. I sat next to a crying child. He had a shrill scream that was surely making dogs howl 38,000 feet below us, not to mention making a grown man bite his bottom lip just one seat over. Perhaps he needed to be on a military plane.
When I arrived in Kuwait, there was a lady holding a little sign with my name on it. I’m not used to that type of treatment. I thought handcuffs might soon be following. Sure I had bad thoughts about the screaming child, but I was able to grin and bear my way through it or so I thought.
She was actually there to make the transition into the country easier. After all kinds of issues and time with my passport, I just whipped out my military ID and waltzed right on through immigration.
A driver from the company took me to my hotel room where I would remain for the next 24 hours. I was so tired that I never left my room. I didn’t eat anything for 28 hours. I don’t think I’ve gone 28 hours without eating since the 28 hours before I ever ate. That’s just insane. I got out of bed a couple of times when nature called. Other than that, I was bound to the bed.
One of my old bosses from the army came to pick me up and we went to the Christmas party where I was to perform. The hotel was huge and the ballroom looked like the Luxor in Vegas, pyramid and all, but there weren’t a lot people. I was worried and rightfully so.
A comedian can usually tell beforehand if it’s going to work or not. For example, when the boss is giving his welcome speech and there are kids running around at his feet and very few people are paying attention, while others are bee boppin’ around like nothing’s happening. I knew it was going to be rough, and I was right. It happens.
There were a couple of tables up front who were paying attention and laughing, so I made sure I sat down with them and thanked them afterwards. They were good folks, even though one of them was a Bama fan. They are everywhere I tell ya!
My driver picked me up at the hotel the next morning at 4:30. I knew it was going to be a long day, and, once again, I was right. The trip to Jordan went off without a hitch, but once I got there, the fun began. We were delayed by several hours. I was tired and miserable and knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep on the plane, but a funny thing happened.
The plane was not full, and I was fortunate to have a window seat with an empty seat next to me. There was a guy in the aisle seat, however. My feet were hurting so I pulled my shoes off and crossed my legs. Apparently, there was a putrid odor emitting from my feet, so the guy next to me got up and changed seats. I had two free seats next to me, so I took some sleep aid, stretched out like I was in a free seat on a school bus, and slept like a champ for several hours.
Due to the delay in Jordan, I missed my connecting flight from Chicago to Atlanta.  I wasn’t mad or anything. It happens. I was kind and respectful, and they were able to find me a seat on a later flight and eventually gave me a free upgrade to first class. Even though first class on American Eagle is like the honeymoon suite at the Golden Cherry motel, it was still a nice and appreciated gesture.
Life’s not always perfect, but hang in there. Be nice. Be courteous. Be Patient. Good things are bound to happen.
Jody Fuller is a comic, speaker, writer and soldier with three tours of duty in Iraq. He is also a lifetime stutterer. He can be reached at jody@jodyfuller.com. For more information, please visit www.jodyfuller.com.