What a heartfelt and beautifully reflective post! I appreciate the connection you’ve drawn between the poem and the deeper human experience—it’s a reminder that even the most analytical pursuits, like science, can feel hollow without a sense of meaning and purpose. Robert Frost’s words evoke such a poignant sense of solitude and duty, and your interpretation—linking the journey of life to unfinished work like MS research—is both moving and inspiring.
I also admire the way you’ve shifted the focus of the season to connection and care for others. The reminder to reach out to those who are lonely is more important than ever. My family went caroling last night, and it was such a profound experience. While we hoped to bring some joy to our neighbors, we walked away feeling like the greater gift was given to us—a renewed sense of warmth and community.
Thank you for sharing your reflections and encouragement. Wishing you, and everyone, a Merry Christmas filled with love, connection, and hope for brighter days ahead.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas Gavin, thank you for all your inspirational, tireless work for our MS community. Relax & have a peaceful end to another year.
I had thought you’d gravitate towards hot Christmases from your childhood. I suppose this makes you British now (niether an insult nor a compliment, but an observation)! Thankyou for continuing to look for the c-word (not Christmas). Have a happy Christmas.
Thank you again for sharing hope! Also love your story about your teacher that inspired you!,
I live in a care home and for people alone get to know your local care home (if you want) as mine would be more than happy to share Christmas Day with you!
The Frost and Fitzgerald passages and Dr. G’s words inspire me to not give up on literature, but find what I can still read. I have sadly dramatically cut back on reading the good stuff for the last couple years (dx Jan 2024 with cognitive problems). And I will reach out to my friend who is out of sorts this Christmas. Thank you.
Go to your nearest park run either as walk/runner or volunteer as I do now - on my mobility scooter - I guarantee you will feel better ! Merry Christmas 🎄
Thanks Gavin for your thoughtful reflections at this time of the year. It's good to stop, reflect and look forward to what's to come. Thanks for all you do for the MS community. It has and continues to be invaluable to me.
Beautiful Gavin, Merry Christmas and thank you so much for sharing. I studied English as well as Science and I’m so pleased I did! It gives you an appreciation for plays, prose, poems, writing and adds so much colour to life. My favourite poem is like a nod to mindfulness:
What a heartfelt and beautifully reflective post! I appreciate the connection you’ve drawn between the poem and the deeper human experience—it’s a reminder that even the most analytical pursuits, like science, can feel hollow without a sense of meaning and purpose. Robert Frost’s words evoke such a poignant sense of solitude and duty, and your interpretation—linking the journey of life to unfinished work like MS research—is both moving and inspiring.
I also admire the way you’ve shifted the focus of the season to connection and care for others. The reminder to reach out to those who are lonely is more important than ever. My family went caroling last night, and it was such a profound experience. While we hoped to bring some joy to our neighbors, we walked away feeling like the greater gift was given to us—a renewed sense of warmth and community.
Thank you for sharing your reflections and encouragement. Wishing you, and everyone, a Merry Christmas filled with love, connection, and hope for brighter days ahead.
Thank you Prof. G for your great input and inspiring thoughts all year long.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas Gavin, thank you for all your inspirational, tireless work for our MS community. Relax & have a peaceful end to another year.
I had thought you’d gravitate towards hot Christmases from your childhood. I suppose this makes you British now (niether an insult nor a compliment, but an observation)! Thankyou for continuing to look for the c-word (not Christmas). Have a happy Christmas.
Thank you again for sharing hope! Also love your story about your teacher that inspired you!,
I live in a care home and for people alone get to know your local care home (if you want) as mine would be more than happy to share Christmas Day with you!
Happy Christmas!
Thank you for your unwavering dedication and commitment to the MS cause for all these years. Wishing you a relaxing and peaceful break.
The Frost and Fitzgerald passages and Dr. G’s words inspire me to not give up on literature, but find what I can still read. I have sadly dramatically cut back on reading the good stuff for the last couple years (dx Jan 2024 with cognitive problems). And I will reach out to my friend who is out of sorts this Christmas. Thank you.
Happy Christmas to you too and thank you for everything you do for all those of us with MS. Have a wonderful time 🎅🏼🎄
Thanks for caring, have a good Xmas break.
Happy Christmas and New Year Prof G!
Grateful for all you do for the MS community! ❤️
Wonderful post. Happy holidays prof G!
Go to your nearest park run either as walk/runner or volunteer as I do now - on my mobility scooter - I guarantee you will feel better ! Merry Christmas 🎄
Thanks Gavin for your thoughtful reflections at this time of the year. It's good to stop, reflect and look forward to what's to come. Thanks for all you do for the MS community. It has and continues to be invaluable to me.
Merry Christmas and a Happy and healthy 2025!
Joyeux Noël! Thank you for the beautiful poem, and for all you are doing for us.
Merry Christmas doc! You the best!
Beautiful Gavin, Merry Christmas and thank you so much for sharing. I studied English as well as Science and I’m so pleased I did! It gives you an appreciation for plays, prose, poems, writing and adds so much colour to life. My favourite poem is like a nod to mindfulness:
Leisure by W.H. Davis 1911
What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?—
No time to stand beneath the boughs,
And stare as long as sheep and cows:
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass:
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night:
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance:
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began?
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.