I attended the birthday dinner to celebrate Bob Gilman last night. He is a researcher and a serious ruckus-maker of research in public health in Perú for nearly 30 years. He has generated an entire global health community in Lima with a philsophy of openess, generousity, and a massive amount of hard work.

Nearly everyone I knew in global health in Lima was literally seated at one table. There was something about it, everyone was there together celebrating, open and enagaging. Most of the people who have worked with Bob have done so for a long time.

I was keenly aware of the fact that this community does not need to exist. That it could be way harder than this, and that it does. I was and am overwhelming grateful to be seated at the table too.

To his community, Bob stood up, addressed everyone and said,

“We are a family here. And I really love you.”