1. The expressions of love, mercy, and forgiveness offered by the families of the victims of the Charleston church shooting.  Truly Christians walking the walk and an inspiration in the face of unspeakable anger and grief.
2. Sharing a laugh with Irena, who trims my hair and beard, and George, who owns the place (“George’s”), when he shoo’ed away two women who’d been arguing outside the front door, one in Chinese and one in English. 
3. Black beans with onions, peppers, garlic and rice that I made myself.  Well, that we made together:  you made the ingredients and I put them together.
4. The awareness that I’m not trapped in a relationship I don’t want to be in.
5. Air conditioning on a humid but not necessarily hot night,

Many thanks,

Me