Hard to believe that we are coming to the end of another year and I have celebrated my 69^th birthday and 39^th year in practice. Hardly a day goes by without a patient asking: What are you doing in the office or when are you going to retire? I always try to look at the bright side and assume they want me to continue to practice even if they seem disappointed that its not Brandon coming in to see them. I know many of them want to see the handsome, sensitive, young guy but I try to explain to them my reasons for continuing to practice. First I am living my dream. We have great patients and employees, they are my friends and family. Second I get to share my passion with my son and watch his success. Finally I have no other skills that would enable me to contribute to others and feel useful. OK, the reality is that Debi has made it clear that she could not put up with me or my energy if I was home all the time. So I will continue to dentistry as long as my body will allow, as long as I enjoy it and as long as I can do it well. With regards to the last; we dentists are perfectionists and always questioning and critically evaluating our own work so it was reassuring that we received the Top Dentist 2019 award from San Diego magazine. We have never purchased any advertising in the magazine and the choice is made by the dental specialists in the area. We do not want to seem braggadocios but we are proud to be selected again by our fellow dentists and dental specialists as one of the top dental offices in Carlsbad. Actually Brandon and I are two of the five dentists elected from over a hundred dentists in Carlsbad. This represents the 11th year in a row. I know of no other office that has received the award so consistently. We would like to thank the specialists who voted for us but more importantly you our patients who trust us with you dental health all year around.