Finally, I can exhale.
There’s something about the end of winter that is very comforting. All winters are hard in Boston, and I’ve endured well over 40 of them. But this one, in particular, has been extra hard. In addition to the cold, there’s been an absence of family, playdates, birthday celebrations, date nights, and so much more. And many of us endured a great deal of loss over the past year.
But the old saying “hope springs eternal” comes to mind during this time of year. We made it through this heartbreaking winter, the days are getting longer, the snow is melting. Soon enough, flowers will bloom and grass will turn green again.
Life may not be quite back to “normal,” but we are all hopeful. We all look forward to activities that were put on hold for so long. I am looking forward to seeing friends and family the most. I also never thought I’d miss standing outside to watch my son’s baseball game in the cold spring rain, jumping aboard a crowded Green Line train, waiting for a table in the North End, or making our way through a crowd in Harvard Square.
Take a moment to appreciate the beauty of nature at this time of year, because along with it comes hope.
Lately, when I have been out for my walks, I try to unplug. Instead of listening to something with my earbuds in, I make a conscious effort to listen more to nature and the sounds around me. There is so much to observe — puddles of what used to be snow, buds on trees, birds chirping, and the sun shining higher in the sky. All these signs of spring will no doubt bring happiness to all of us after a difficult winter and an even more difficult year. Spring is nature’s promise, after all. And we are running out of patience.
I still recall one of the quotes I shared in my high school yearbook:
“In the depths of winter, I finally realized that within me there lay an invincible summer.”
There is not much about my high school years that is relevant to me today, but this quote always sticks with me and is so meaningful in this moment. It’s not only about getting through another harsh New England winter, it’s about hope. Hope for brighter days ahead, hugs with people we love, summer camps, soccer games, theater, barbecues, days where we can travel again, and so much more. Spring is a time for rebirth. We have made it this far, and this wonderful season is right around the corner.
