Among other things, I’m grateful today for “Love on the Spectrum,” an unusual Netflix dating docuseries. I appreciate open-hearted programs that broaden my perspective on humanity, and nurture compassion. I’m grateful to have been watching it with one of the biggest-hearted people I know. We catch up on FaceTime, then countdown and watch the show and laugh and cry together. Tonight was extra emotional because it was the last episode of the season. We came to care about all these amazing, vulnerable, beautiful young people on the autism spectrum, seeking romance and happiness in relationships; and then it was over! Too soon! It’s an eye-opening, sympathetic, at times uncomfortably intimate, look into the challenges of people who are neurologically different, but so much the same, as everybody else who’s dived into the dating pool. I’m grateful I’m not out there flailing around with them! Nevertheless, we’re all after the same thing in life: more happiness and less suffering.

I’m grateful Rocky came to say goodbye to Stellar, and was walking on all fours. I’m grateful I still feel Stellar’s presence here, despite feeling also his absence. I’m grateful that Topaz seems almost back to normal today, and got to go out for a walk with me this morning, and a few hours on her own. It seems to have exhausted her; she’s been inside sleeping since before Deb and Rosie came for their ‘thank you’ lunch (roasted chicken with harissa chickpeas). I’m grateful for the unfolding adventure of another day.