Never judge a book by its cover, but sometimes you can judge it by its title! 👁️✨ I found Optic Nerve by Maria Gainza at the VMFA and had to grab it.

I started out skeptical, assuming its awards were just publishing industry nepotism. Instead, I found a book I couldn’t put down. Gainza weaves her autobiography with art history, exploring how visual conditions like astigmatism completely altered how famous artists saw the world. There’s no traditional plot or continuous character arcs—just beautiful, fragmented reflections on art, sight, and memory. It is pure poetic joy.

It is always a lovely day when we graduate surgeons from our ophthalmology residency program, 39 for me, and counting!

A family reunion up in the Pocono Mountains was wonderful. Even though it rained all weekend, 29 of us got together and had a great time reconnecting. Time traveling with the Lehigh valley railway and then celebrating a masters degree was fun!

Then we visited Bushkill Falls — the rain elevated the rushing water and the cascading falls were absolutely stunning. Also, if you have kids, we highly recommend the Claws 'N' Paws Wild Animal Park. Because of the cool, damp weather, the animals were incredibly active. We saw rare albino animals, heard wolves howling, and actually felt the roar of a lion, which was amazing. It’s a bit of a drive from Richmond, but well worth it for a weekend getaway!

The first few trips to Virginia’s state parks and national forests this spring have been a wonderful way to reconnect with nature, and we are already planning to explore more of Virginia’s beautiful outdoor spaces as the summer continues!

Mother’s day this year included a visit to the Great Mughal exhibit at Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and then lunch with mom. Between the dazzling historical artifacts and the fresh literary purchases, we had certainly secured treasure finds of our own today. But the greatest treasure by far was simply the beautiful, uninterrupted time spent with family.

Meetings like the Cogan Ophthalmic History Society remind me why I’m drawn to history in the first place. It challenges us. It humbles us. And it expands how we think about our role—not just as physicians, but as participants in a much larger story.

Grateful for the opportunity to share, to learn, and to be part of this community.

Through this shared art project, I truly got to experience growing up twice. I reconnected with the girl who wrote about the kingdom of the sky, and I got to watch my own children translate her world into color. It is a beautiful reminder that we don't always need to orchestrate perfect moments for our kids. Sometimes, we just need to hand them a piece of our past, a story or a sketch, and watch them build a bridge between generations.

I’ve been reflecting lately on how the stories we read act as a mirror to the world around us. Currently, I’m immersed in Harvesting Rosewater by fellow physician Paria Hassouri—a beautiful narrative of a woman navigating divorce, an empty nest, and the complexities of her heritage. A cultural connection reminds me of Nadia Shahram’s Marriage on the Street Corners of Tehran, which I read years ago and still think about today.

If there is one thing that truly anchors a celebration, bringing everyone together in a moment of shared anticipation and joy, it is the cake. Over the years, I have come to realize that a cake is so much more than just a dessert; it is a centerpiece, a conversation starter, and a beautiful reflection of the people we love.

Whether you are looking for your next cozy weekend read or you simply love diving into character-driven family dramas with strong female leads, I would love for you to meet these four sisters.

With the family away, I have fallen madly, deeply in love again with an improved version of an old flame.

While we can debate the nuances of sponsorship content or the logistics of the schedule of national medical meetings, there is always a higher goal at these gatherings. It is about the camaraderie. It is about finding a space where we can share not just "teaching pearls," but also our shared stressors. It is about recharging in a relaxed setting. Viva Puerto Rico!

Nicoya is a region known for its beauty and its "Blue Zone" longevity, yet it faces a critical shortage of eye care providers. In this landscape, preventable blindness is not just a medical issue; it is a storm that many families weather silently.

Growing up, food was never merely about sustenance; it was an event. Colors, smells, and textures were the vocabulary of our family conversations. As I have traveled, both in life and in my palate, I have watched the culinary map shift. I am fascinated by that delicate threshold where South Asia begins to lean further East—where the dominance of wheat and dry heat gives way to the tropical embrace of the coast. Here, recipes become fluid. Turmeric finds a new partner in creamy coconut milk, and rice magically transforms into noodles.

The guidebook’s watercolor of wheat fields and sailboats will have to wait for another season. For now, our Denmark is a canvas of winter light, castle towers, LEGO bricks, and bike lanes—and a lingering question I’m still exploring: what would it look like to design our own lives with this kind of quiet happiness in mind?

To my administrative staff, front desk staff, technicians, managers, colleagues, and trainees: thank you. You are the reason we can offer not just medical care, but genuine care. Healthy eyes lead to a brighter, clearer future—but it’s our teamwork that makes that future possible.

When Stamps Delivered Magic: From a Hill Station Post Office to a Children’s Book

Cousins in the kitchen, kids at the drawing table, football on TV, and a feast from vegan to turkey with autumn colors and gratitude cards under each plate. A Maryland Thanksgiving I’ll be grateful for - for a long time.

I am deeply grateful to everyone who showed up, brought a friend, posted a flyer, or simply held Do Not Follow in their hands and saw a piece of their own journey in Seema’s highways home.

Between door-step mummies and farmhouse constellations, this season felt like a warm quilt stitched with small rituals. The front door taught us that a bit of whimsy can welcome the whole street. The minion and M&M pumpkins reminded us that ordinary shapes can hold extraordinary personalities. A pot of eyeball pasta proved that the best party trick is laughter shared around a table. And Crewe showed us how wonder multiplies when you pair science with a dark sky and good friends.