Aileen and I just finished watching our favorite show on TV, Everwood.

I don't know how many people actually watch this show. I've tried to share this gem of a show with Lex and other people around the office, but the usual response is, "Oh, isn't that show like Dawson's Creek?"

It's not.

If my wife and I were to answer the blog idea of the day that asked when the last time we cried was,  we'd probably have to say "last thursday" every week. IF we were to answer that blog idea of the day. I admit nothing.

Why do I enjoy the show so much? At it's core, it's about people in a small town. Like many shows, it's about people and their problems, their loves, their mistakes, their joys, their life.  It's not pretentious. It's not about shock value. People don't always die or break up or sleep around. You never say "ooh" I can't believe that happened! It's takes a small group of people and it makes them real. And you watch them, and you keep watching them, because you start caring about them.

The writing is phenomenal. I mean, the writers managed to take Scott Wolfe of Party of Five fame, add him to the show last season, and make him, with his trying to be too charming smile,  into a real person. Amazing.

When I watch the show, even though the characters are going through things that I have never gone through myself, it reminds me of times in my own life. There are wonderful things that happen, and there are difficulties. People make mistakes, people struggle, they fall in love, they deal with illness, with old age, with issues between parents and children and friends. There are so many things that happen in the course of a lifetime. But what I really see on the show is the beauty of humanity. Sometimes the most insensitive people can surpise you, the strongest people can falter, those who love you can still shock you with just how deep that love can be. Not everything gets solved in a couple of episodes, people suffer, they learn, they grow, and they change.

There is a truth to it, and it's hopeful.

And that's why I watch the show. I'll admit that I've said on MANY occasions, that there are a lot of stupid people in the world. Everwood reminds me that every one of those stupid people can do surprisingly wonderful and amazing things if you believe in them. It also reminds me that when things are bad, they get better, and not to forget that while I try to achieve all those financial and career goals, it's still the people that matter.  It gives me hope and keeps me grounded.

Does your favorite show do that?