Maria calls them the Jon Katz Fan Club, and it does seem that way sometimes. Whenever I open a door, they are usually gathered out there waiting for me.

Some of it is the treats, of course, but it goes deeper than that. We are genuinely grateful to see one another, I smile when I see them, and they seem very happy to see me.

These infusions of love and appreciation life me up, keep my steady, remind me of the loving and beautiful things in the world.