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3700 Joseph Siewick Dr., Suite 400 • Fairfax, VA 22033 (703) 620-4300 • EyePlasticMD.com
FEBRUARY 2026
DAILY DEEDS AND HEARTFELT HELP THE LASTING GIFT OF KINDNESS
One of the things I appreciate most about the holiday season is the reminder of how powerful simple kindness can be. Stories like “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” stay with us because they point to a truth that applies year-round. As Random Acts of Kindness Day occurs in February, it’s a good moment to pause and reflect on how small, thoughtful actions can make a lasting difference. The idea behind this day is simple, and I look forward to embracing it. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to witness many reminders that generosity, rather than selfishness, is what truly defines us. One of my earliest memories of genuine kindness goes back to my childhood in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey. I was riding my bike one day when I noticed a homeless man sitting on the street. Seeing someone in such difficult circumstances was uncommon in our neighborhood, and the moment stayed with me. It was an early realization that some people in this world lack the resources, support, or ability to care for themselves. Not long after, a police officer approached the man. Instead of asserting authority or telling him to move along, the officer sat down beside him and simply talked with him. He asked how the man was doing and took the time to listen. The exchange was calm, respectful, and compassionate. Watching that officer treat someone with dignity left a lasting impression on me, one I have never forgotten. “Whenever I lose sight of the gift of humanity or need an example of how to be a better person, all I need to do is look at my kids.”
When my daughter, Alexandra (Alecia), drives anywhere, she keeps Ziploc bags filled with food in her car to give to homeless individuals she encounters along the way. If she runs out of food, she gives what she can. On one occasion, she even gave away her Contigo water bottle so someone could drink more easily. She never hesitates, and she never expects anything in return. My son, Nicholas, has shown that same quiet generosity. When he was in elementary school, he noticed a car with an expired license plate outside a local supermarket. Realizing the owner might be headed for an unnecessary ticket, he decided to help. He created small flyers to place on the windshields of cars with expired plates and asked me to drive him around so he could share them. He didn’t sign his name or look for recognition. He simply wanted to let them know they had expired plates.
Moments like these remind me that kindness doesn’t need an audience.
Whenever I lose sight of the gift of humanity or need a reminder of how to be a better person, all I need to do is look at my kids. Their generosity and compassion have touched our family and many people they don’t even know. In February, Random Acts of Kindness Day is a wonderful reminder to practice kindness, but making it part of our everyday lives is an even greater goal. Even amid busy schedules, daily frustrations, and moments that test our patience, choosing kindness is always worth the effort.
After all, if the Grinch can learn that lesson, so can the rest of us.
As meaningful as that experience was, the greatest lessons I’ve learned about kindness have come from my children.
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A WHIFF OF WELLNESS A simple scent can do more than brighten a room. Fragrances can lift your mood, ease tension, and even help you sleep better. For older adults managing chronic pain, sleepless nights, or everyday stressors, aromatherapy offers a gentle, natural boost that works alongside your regular wellness plan. massage with a diluted oil before bed, allowing the scent to settle in both through your skin and the air around you. Fragrant Paths to Clarity, Comfort, and Calm
While aromatherapy won’t cure pain, inhaling or gently massaging essential oils can encourage the release of feel-good hormones, easing your discomfort. Studies show inhaled oils may provide mild relief for chronic pain, making them a soothing addition to your wellness toolkit. Starting Safely • Always dilute: Combine 6–10 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil, such as coconut or grapeseed oil, to prevent skin irritation. • Never ingest oils: Concentrated oils can be toxic if swallowed. • Check with your doctor. Especially if you take medications or have skin sensitivities. Aromatherapy can be a simple and delightful addition to your daily wellness routine. With a little experimentation, the right scents can lift your mood, ease tension, and add a touch of joy to everyday moments. A few mindful breaths could be all it takes to feel more centered, alert, and at peace.
Signaling in the Brain When a scent reaches your nose, it sends a quick message to the brain’s emotional and memory centers, also known as the limbic system. That direct pathway helps explain why a single whiff can lift your spirits, calm an anxious moment, or trigger a comforting memory. Bright citrus scents can perk you up, while lavender often calms a restless mind. Sharpening Your Mind Some research has linked regular, gentle exposure to certain aromas with improvements in attention and memory, especially when people make it part of their nightly routine. While results aren’t guaranteed for everyone, many older adults report feeling mentally sharper or more at ease after using familiar, pleasant scents in their homes. Finding Relief Through Fragrance For those having trouble sleeping, lavender has been linked to deeper, more restful sleep. For maximum effect, try a simple
Eyelids in Expert Hands PAM’S ROAD TO RENEWED SIGHT
“I had droopy eyelids all my life. When I was a teenager and young adult, my dad told me I should have them taken care of one day. I went years without addressing them, as I wasn’t thinking cosmetically. However, my eyelids eventually became a physical problem when they began affecting my sight. Last year, a visit with my eye doctor revealed that I had essentially lost all of my superior peripheral vision due to my droopy eyelids, so I followed a recommendation to see Dr. Scott. “From the first visit, Dr. Scott was amazing. He explained everything step-by-step and showed me before-and-after photos of what I could expect my eyes to look like after surgery. He didn’t talk like a doctor; he spoke like somebody I could easily understand. My husband, who accompanied me to the initial consultation, felt the same way.
“Dr. Scott was also funny. He said, ‘Wow, you have a lot of extra real estate up there, don’t you?’ “The surgery was performed shortly before the holidays. Now, my eyelids are wonderful, and my peripheral vision is much better. Dr. Scott gave me a prescription for pain medication, but I never filled it. My eyelids never hurt that badly during my recovery, so I didn’t need to take anything except Tylenol. “About a week after Dr. Scott removed my stitches, the incision reopened slightly, possibly as a result of my rheumatoid arthritis or perhaps (as Dr. Scott suggested) just my being a slow healer. When I returned to his office to have him fix the issue, he was kind, gentle, and reassuring. Nicole was there with him, and she held my hand as he stitched me up in the office. When the same problem occurred with the other eye
the following day, Dr. Scott took me right in and stitched up the area. He made me feel safe and comfortable every step of the way. “During my last follow-up with him on Dec. 22, he told me I had ‘graduated.’ Although I’m sad I won’t be seeing him again soon, I’m grateful for the experience of working with him. Every single person at Eye Plastic Associates is kind, funny, helpful, and thoughtful … just the best! “I’ve already sung Dr. Scott’s praises to people I know who have droopy eyelids. I just can’t toot his horn enough!” –Pam Waters
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A 2-LAYER APPROACH TO REJUVENATION BOTOX AND BALANCE
Bear with me for a moment and picture this: You walk into your bedroom and notice that the center of your bed has developed a sinkhole.
Botox works differently. Rather than adding volume, it relaxes specific facial muscles by reducing their ability to contract. This softens fine lines and wrinkles caused by repeated facial expressions, much like smoothing the comforter on top of the bed once the foundation beneath has been corrected. When used together, fillers and Botox create a balanced, two-layer approach to facial rejuvenation. Fillers restore support from below, while Botox refines the surface. This combination can effectively soften crow’s feet, cheek and smile lines, marionette lines, chin dimpling, and even help camouflage early jowling — all without the need for surgery. If you’re interested in learning how this customized, non-surgical approach may help you look refreshed and natural, we’d be happy to talk with you.
You might try to hide it by pulling a thick down comforter over the bed, but instead of smoothing
things out, the comforter simply dips into the depression. Before long, it becomes clear that no matter how carefully you arrange the top layer, the surface won’t look right until the underlying problem is addressed. The sinkhole needs to be filled completely, starting from the bottom. This simple image helps explain how dermal fillers and Botox work together to restore a more youthful, refreshed appearance without surgery. Dermal fillers address volume loss. As we age, certain areas of the face naturally lose support, creating hollows, folds, and deeper lines. Hyaluronic acid fillers are designed to gently lift and fill these sunken areas, restoring structure and contour. Common fillers include Juvéderm, Voluma, and Restylane, which are formulated to restore volume in areas such as the cheeks, jawline, and around the mouth.
And while I can help with facial sinkholes, I’m afraid I can’t do much about the one in your bedroom.
Hot Honey-Infused Feta Chicken
INGREDIENTS •
2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
•
2 cloves garlic, minced
• • • •
1 tsp salt
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3 tbsp crumbled feta cheese 2 tsp fresh rosemary chopped (or thyme) 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil 3 tbsp hot honey
•
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DIRECTIONS 1. Pat chicken dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. 2. In a skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. 3. Sear chicken for 2–3 minutes on each side until golden. 4. In a small bowl, mix hot honey and minced garlic to create a glaze. 5. Place the seared chicken in a baking dish. Pour the hot honey mixture over top. 6. Sprinkle chicken with crumbled feta, then rosemary or thyme. 7. Bake at 400 F for 20–25 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165 F. 8. Optional: Broil for 1–2 minutes for extra caramelization. 9. Let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with lemon juice and extra herbs before serving.
“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” – Mark Twain
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3700 Joseph Siewick Dr., Suite 400 • Fairfax, VA 22033 (703) 620-4300 • EyePlasticMD.com
Inside This Issue
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The Joy of Doing Good
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Aromatherapy Secrets for Seniors That Actually Work
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A Dramatic Change for Droopy Lids
Precision Care for Aging Skin
Hot Honey-Infused Feta Chicken
No Ocean? No Problem! The Truth About Suburban Seagulls
FROM SHORE TO STORE What Are Those Seagulls Doing in the Parking Lot?
If you walk through any suburban mall parking lot these days, you may encounter one of nature’s puzzles: Why are seagulls hanging out here? With no oceans nearby, no beaches, or no enticing seaside picnics, what attracts an ocean bird to a retail plaza? For many of the 50 species of seagulls, the name is a misnomer. While many species do stick to the coasts, a large number, including a species known as the ring-billed gull, are just as happy living inland, especially in suburban parking lots! These gulls enjoy picking up human leftovers wherever they land, and shoppers exiting with mall food often leave an appetizing trail.
and “dedicated feeders” who regularly drove to mall parking lots and served flocks of birds en masse by dumping big loads of bread and other food!
While the gulls weren’t above dumpster diving, they preferred to await food deliveries from “their”
humans. The scientists concluded that humans’ deliberate mass feedings encouraged the mass gull gatherings at malls around the country.
Also, parking lots resemble the birds’ natural habitats in some ways. Gulls dislike having anything obstruct their flight path overhead or getting in the way. Various species will flock to almost any kind of open space, from baseball fields to landfills.
But gulls aren’t craving just any food scraps. When scientists in Massachusetts studied suburban flocks of ring-billed gulls roosting on a drinking-water reservoir, they discovered the birds flocked during the day to a nearby shopping mall to eat.
Maybe that’s so they can dive-bomb picnickers below and swipe your toddler’s hot dog, or snatch that piece of pizza out of your hand. And while many dedicated feeders believe the gulls need their help to get enough to eat, scientists say that is just another trick these savvy birds play on us humans! They’re actually fully capable of foraging for themselves.
Surprisingly, the gulls weren’t satisfied to scavenge for rubbish in trash cans and dumpsters.
They were waiting patiently for humans to feed them deliberately . Scientists divided these bird-feeding humans into two groups: “casual feeders” who would toss a french fry out of the car window for the birds,
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