the good doctor on: Being Pleasantly Surprised

Blog #35

On being pleasantly surprised.

Here we are, Christmas Eve; closed up the clinic for a much needed 3 day break. The cold of winter has descended on us, with the customary collection of rain, sleet, or snow. The last things you would expect to see growing in these environs, are flowers. In the front of our property under a large maple, grows a plant that we have come to love. It is a Hellebore, otherwise called the Christmas or Lenten Rose. I grabbed a picture of this plant yesterday, while the sun was still out.

What a surprise to have garden flowers in the winter, a reminder that all is not doom and gloom. Let us be open to being pleasantly surprised. What COVID has been teaching me is that we need to be in the moment, and that when we are, we are opened up to flowers like Hellebores, and so many other countless surprises that we normally miss when we go hurriedly about.

Hoping that this Holiday Season we can appreciate the little things, and who is to say maybe we can start new Holiday traditions during this “winter of our discontent”.

Til next year,


The Good Doctor, Dr. Mark Germain, Burlington Optometrist

By Dr. Mark Germain April 24, 2025
The good doctor discusses an exciting and accessible new
By Dr. Mark Germain April 17, 2025
This week, the good doctor takes a look at the chameleon and its unique vision abilities.
By Dr. Mark Germain April 10, 2025
The good doctor discusses the importance of catching the Herpes Zoster virus early.
By Dr. Mark Germain April 3, 2025
The good doctor discusses technology available to today's cars that can aid low vision drivers as well as everyone else.
After witnessing Sundogs at Burlington Eyecare, the good doctor discusses this beautiful phenomenon.
By Dr. Mark Germain March 27, 2025
After witnessing Sundogs at Burlington Eyecare, the good doctor discusses this beautiful phenomenon.
By Dr. Mark Germain March 20, 2025
The good doctor shares some fascinating information about the function of lasers.
More Posts