by Antonio Paulo Pitanguy, Plastic Surgery Resident

I have always been very close to my grandfather. I remember on the weekends when we went to the island (figure 1), I often preferred talking to him than playing with my cousin. He had the ability and encouraged me to keep an open mind and curiosity for different subjects. Culture was part of his life and something very natural to him; simplicity was one of his main qualities. We had a very peculiar life style, but everything seemed to be normal. Looking back now, I see how fortunate I was to enjoy his company in different places. I loved to have lunch with him at his clinic. He had a private apartment at the top floor with aquarium and birds and was dressed with the scrubs that he was wearing in the OR. There was an auditorium that showed life surgeries where fellows and residents were watching, and it was fascinating to me.