A long overdue thank you

I wanted to take a momentary pause from my suddenly stressful career planning to thank everyone who is supporting me.

First and foremost, to my wife. Yes I know I already thanked you for your support. But I don't think you know just how much you help. I know I drive you crazy with my constant career shifts, but I also know that you know how much I need you as a sounding board. Which can't be easy, since in the past three weeks I've told you I'm going to switch to industry, then interview for an academic postdoc, then discuss a new field of research. Oh yeah, and we may move across the country if a vague promise of a job materializes. I can only wonder at your strength and ability not to choke the living daylights out of your confused husband.

To my colleagues - you have made the last two conferences pivotal events in my career. Every time I feel lost, someone reaches out to give me a hand. God, I love my field and the sense of collegiality present amongst everyone. I am now included as a peer to junior faculty, and discuss Big Picture Science with geniuses and future Nobel Laureates. More than just a club, my specialty now feels like an extended family. And quite frankly, it amazes me to be a part of such a great community. Which is also why I plan to send a few emails to the preeminent names in the field to ask advice. Hell, I may only know you from one meeting, but I now have confidence that people want to help.

To those of you who comment on this blog - some of you I know by name, some by pseudonym, some simply as anonymous voices, but all of you have helped me reach greater clarity. This blog was initially meant to simply share my experiences on being a dad and scientist (in that order), but it has somehow turned into something greater. I remember when the original Dr. Becca and Prof-like substance wrote about getting more from blogging than they had ever intended. I only understood it at an abstract level until this morning in the car, when feMOMhist provided the same advice (which I was still stewing over) my mentor provided on Friday. This online community is great, providing job advice, example grants, critiques on research plans for job application, and overall emotional support. I can't thank you all enough.

In closing, I am grateful. To have resources. To have support. To have friends. It invigorates me and makes me strive to accomplish all the things you see in me. Thank you for making me a better person.