Gratitude

Wow! There is so much to be thankful for this year!

In August, I married the man who had quickly become my best friend over a year-and-a-half of dating and engagement. In doing so, I not only gained a husband, but a loving mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother-in-law, and an extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins.

My mother-in-law posted this on Facebook the week of our marriage:

This past Monday, I started a new job in a brand-new, state-of-the-art research facility. I’m studying the pathology of cornea disease and helping to develop new treatments and test a new diagnostic DNA test.

Below is an example of what I might see on an average day in the lab. I took this photo yesterday. (Don’t freak out—they’re pig eyes!)

Let’s just say it’s NOT a boring job.

I want to share an email I wrote this week to the widow of my former boss who gave me my first laboratory position. Unfortunately, since I want to retain a degree of anonymity on this blog, I won’t be able to give this brilliant man full credit here.

I wanted to let you know how much of an impact David made in my professional life. When he hired me in 2014, I was 4 years out of college and had yet to find a job that could have led to any solid career. In truth, I was a bit lost. I had majored in Biology and knew I would like to work in science, but had no clue where to get started. 

I had gotten to know David over a four-year period of attending the [science & philosophy] ministry at church on and off. One day I asked him for advice on a career path. He asked me what my interests were and helped me brainstorm some of my options, and after our meeting I was grateful to at least have some ideas to think about. 

When I received a phone call from him months later asking me if I would be interested in a Research Technologist position in his lab, I was surprised and excited for the opportunity. I interviewed and ended up getting the job. Thanks to the valuable experience and confidence I gained in lab, I was able to become a Research Specialist in the ophthalmology department less than two-and-a-half years later. David changed the trajectory of my career and my life. I really don’t know if I would have become a scientist without his influence.

Finally, Tom and I made an offer on a house this week, and the seller accepted our first offer! Now we are awaiting an inspection, and if all goes well, we will have a house of our own for Christmas!

Wishing you all a blessed and happy Thanksgiving this week!