I AM SO EXCITED!

You won’t believe this.

Remember how I re-wrote The Night Before Christmas as a tribute to Harvard author Walter Willet and his book Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy??

Well, on a whim, I sent him a copy of the poem!!!

And the best part?!?!  HE WROTE BACK!!!  What a guy!

Thanks so much, Lacey, for the poem!   With all the nights and weekends we spend working on grants, data analyses, and manuscripts, it is always nice to hear that our work makes life for others a little bit better.   I hope that you do find your way to a career in public health; I have never regretted that decision.

Walter Willett

 

Here is the email I sent him first:

Hello Mr. Willet,
I got your email from Sierra Sohl-Dickstein (online inquiry) so that I could send you a hello and a thank you note!

I just wanted to let you know that your book has made a huge impact on my life.  I've always been interested in health and nutrition, and this was the first sensible not sensational easy-to-understand scientific account I was able to find.
I have thought about going into public health study, as this is my true interest.  I'm currently working in research and development of educational software, mostly for kids with autism (I was an undergrad psych major at Middlebury College in Vermont).  I grew up as an athlete, played basketball in college, and since graduating three years ago I have developed into a competitive runner and an avid reader about all things nutrition, health and development related.

I read your book over this past winter when I was undergoing an uncertain "what to eat?!" period as I was training for a half marathon.  It has stuck with me, and I recently started a blog, and of course I had to showcase my favorite compilation of the nutrition studies- your BOOK!

Also, I wrote a poem for the blog entry and I thought I'd pass it along to you, since of course you are the main character :)   You might recognize the structure...  it is a converted "Night before Christmas"!
Thank you again for your time and consideration.  I hope this email brightens your day!
Best,
Lacey

I AM SO EXCITED HE WROTE ME BACK!!!

 

Have a great night and check back tomorrow for Elliot’s guest blog.