So very sweet

And to me, it's sweet in the best possible way - sort of affirming and cheering.

An artist did a comic (so far only two pages, but if it ended at those two it's done its service) looking at Garfield from the perspective of Jon Arbuckle - sort of an AU Jon Arbuckle, where he and Liz are married, and apparently Odie is her dog (just as Garfield is his cat). Liz is still a vet, and apparently the main breadwinner. Jon draws comics.

Part 1 shows Jon being a little apprehensive about a dinner party with Liz' old college friends: he feels like he's not done enough with his life, or he's not as smart/accomplished as they are. But it works out. And also, you see the love between Liz and Jon, which is just....nice.

Part 2 is the one that really is right in the feels. I won't spoil it too much but Jon is teaching high schoolers (? Maybe, hard to judge the age) to do cartooning, and one of his students suggests he go to a comic-con. He is doubtful - it's been years, he doesn't know if people like his stuff.

But he goes.

And he does learn, in fact, that people still like his stuff. And it's very life-affirming and sweet how it concludes and I admit I teared up a little.

In a time and a place where cynicism and "I've got mine, don't worry 'bout yours" tends to rule the day, it's good to be reminded that sometimes people do inspire the next generation. And that sometimes the work you do gets to be more than a paycheck.

And it's good to see things like this, that are meant to be sweet and pure and acynical.

I only hope that maybe I inspired some of my students like Jon inspired people in that comic.