We have been practicing plastic surgery for a long time, 85 years between the three of us (and that does not even count the time spent in college, medical school, internships, general surgery or plastic surgery residencies).

My favorite part about the Holiday Season is the giving, seeing faces light up at a well-chosen, well-thought out gift.

Thanksgiving is a uniquely American holiday but celebrates a universal theme. No matter where we live, no matter what our lives circumstances are, we all have something we could be thankful for.

In New Orleans, one can hear live music each and every night throughout the year! In that regard, New Orleans reminded us of Nashville, which we visited last year.

No other region in America has as diverse, fascinating and visible history as New Orleans. House-by-house, neighborhood-by-neighborhood, history is there to absorb and enjoy.

Most of us have fond memories of Halloween, of trick-or-treating when we were children. Children today, as judged by our grandchildren, enjoy this holiday as much as we did when we were younger.

Drs Ekstrom and Bunkis were in Boston last week, participating in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons meeting. Dr. Bunkis was asked to moderate some panels and to judge some poster displays. As always, yes, some work was involved but we got to see old friends and colleagues, meet some new people, eat some fabulous meals, enjoy some old sights, visit with children and grandchildren and see some new sights.

The main aim of plastic surgery is to restore function and appearance, to boost confidence and live in harmony with an appearance that reflects who you really are.

This past week, Dr. Ekstrom and I attended the American Latvian Association annual meeting in Boston. It was so nice to reconnect with old friends and a number of Latvian Government officials.

Little in life is as peaceful as a good day of fishing. I have fished since the 1950’s and would be hard pressed to remember one of those times as not being satisfying and fulfilling. Yes, I have gotten cold and wet, have dumped a canoe on a three day fishing trip, have fished in freezing weather for steelhead on the Ho River on the Olympia Peninsula in December – and those too are now fond memories.