In today’s Impromptus, I have an item on Dr. Regina Benjamin, President Obama’s choice to be surgeon general. I defend her against her critics — her absurd critics, who say she weighs too much to be surgeon general. And I tell of a personal encounter I had with her — one that moved me to say, “I’ll love her forever.”

Just a bit ago, I received a note from “a transplanted Yankee from Detroit, living in Alabama.” (That’s interesting: For years, Alabamians moved to Detroit, to work in the auto factories.) He said, “I view Dr. Benjamin’s practice of medicine and her medical leadership in providing for those less fortunate as exemplarily Christian.” (Great adverb, “exemplarily.”) (I should mention that Dr. Benjamin has had her life and practice in Alabama.) “This is the first choice that the president has made that I support 100 percent.”

That may be true of me, too. I’d have to think on, a bit . . . Anyway, Benjamin has lived a life of shining example, and I’m glad she’s “going national.” And I’d be happy to have a hot-fudge sundae with her anytime. (Well, you’re right: I’d be happy to have a hot-fudge sundae with anyone, anytime.)