ELECTION '18

The final results are not quite in, but it is safe to now say that 2018 was a massive blue wave, bordering on a tsunami! While, the Democrats appear to have lost slight ground in the Senate, they did pick up a seat in Arizona and are hotly contesting a runoff election in Mississippi, of all places.

That we are licking our wounds about close losses in Georgia, Texas, and Florida tells you all you need to know. There is now a belief in our party (and in the other party) that the entire country is in play. Those who think that the electoral map is fixed and that Obama voters were gone forever can think again. Just look at the new governors in Michigan, Kansas, and Wisconsin, all Democrats, and the newly elected Senator in Arizona and Montana.

What this election tells us is that people are hungry for leadership, inspiration, and someone who can lead us out of the morass we are in politically and economically. There is no question that people are energized by the clown in chief. It is our duty to keep them engaged and send him back to the circus.

So many candidates inspired people this year. However, the truly inspirational ones were the campaign volunteers. My friend Kate gave her money, her talent, and her time to Beto O'Rourke, who came within several percentage points of pulling off an upset in the Texas Senate race. Her enthusiasm and efforts were truly inspiring, and it is movements led by people like her - not the candidates - that will turn our country around. My own dad is now getting involved with Indivisible and is prepared to do whatever it takes to elect Democrats in Texas and nationwide.

So, in the end, I am hopeful. Candidates matter. Elections matter. There are no moral victories, but this year truly reminds us that we are very close to taking the country back. Who's in for finishing the job in 2020!

THANKFUL

On this day, Thanksgiving Day, there is so much I am thankful for. First, I am constantly amazed by my family. My mom, dad, and brother, and sister may be half a continent away, but they are always in my thoughts, and I feel their unconditional love. My friends are such an important part of my life, and I am privileged to have friends from my time in Portland all the way back to friends from middle school. They, as much, as anyone, helped to make me into the person I am today. Finally, Kathleen, Nicholas, and Cate are the most important people in my life. They give me purpose and make me reach beyond my capacities to set an example for them. In the end, it is people who make life worth living.

I see patients with deathly illnesses everyday and study cancer, so I am constantly reminded how important health is. I have had minor medical issues and may one day face a major illness, myself. Until then, I am grateful for my health and for the ability to do the things I wish to do unimpeded.

Work brings much joy and meaning to my life, and I am so thankful for my teams and colleagues at work. They are the ones who make difficult experiments and transformational discoveries possible. I am so lucky to be a part of my community.

There will always be challenges and disturbances in our lives and our world and terrible presidents! However, we are living in one of the greatest eras in human history. We should remind ourselves of that during the low times. Life is not perfect, but we should strive to appreciate the good in the world while trying to improve the less good (see Election 2018)!

Everyday could be Thanksgiving, if we can only remember that Day. Hug those whom you love a little closer, be a little kinder, try to make the world a little better because life is truly until further notice.