We will miss you while you are away from us. Your insights have helped drive us to new discoveries and fascinating story lines. I hope we can pickup the slack while you are gone from our sight but never our thoughts.
Good luck in completing your thesis. I hope this story will make you feel better about all the hard work you have put in:
A good friend of mine from High School went to College on a military scholarship. She completed all levels through the Ph.D.
When she was nearing the completion of her studies (Physics), and was almost ready to submit her thesis, she discovered that a physicist who worked with her mother at an Army lab had just published on the very topic of her thesis. She had to abandon that work and start from scratch on a new topic.
She worked dilligently and was almost done with her second one when, sure enough, the same man published again and again blew away her thesis.
As she began her THIRD thesis she very wisely spoke to the man this time, making certain they were not working on the same subject matter. (Now this IS only a rumor, but I am told she threatened to hire a hitman if he published before her again.;)
She completed the thesis and received her Ph.D. with, I have no doubt, flying colors. I have no doubt yours will be at least as well received and appreciated.
Koala, Captain, Team Andrew