slew of words

apricity – noun – the warmth of the sun in the winter

It’s always easy to focus on the icy, the unfeeling, the biting negativity of everything going on around us. To become bogged down by the seemingly neverending days of gray and gloom rather than reveling in the few days where sunlight dances off of snowflakes like a real-life scene from Narnia.

In this instance, it means obsessing over what we cannot change and what we cannot control. The six feet between. The lines at the grocery store. The blacked out storefronts. The empty subway trains. The masks. The restrictions. The unknown timelines. The news stories. The numbers.

But what about the warmth? Isn’t there a bit of sunlight generated from all of this if we take a moment to feel it?

Like the random acts of kindness spurred by these unusual circumstances and the desire to create a connection. Or the ability for such a pandemic to knock everyone down to the same level and create relatability, empathy, and intimacy.

Like the FaceTimes, the virtual cheers-ing of wine glasses to a screen, the ongoing rounds of silly games and the shared laughter. Or the sudden urge to reach out, reconnect and appreciate those that stick around through the good and the bad.

Like the rise of writing snail mail, taking part in game nights, practicing self care, picking up a book, cooking family dinners, baking cookies, completing puzzles and making phone calls. Or the feeling of intense nostalgia that comes from spending hours replaying old memories with loved ones.

Like the tremendous value that is being created for human touch, for bear hugs, for hand holds, for an unmasked smile, for a gentle pat on the back, for introductory handshakes. Or the thankfulness for a roof over your head and a world that has enough technology to close the gap of social distance as much as possible.

Like the flowers that are still blooming, the trees that are still budding, the spring breeze that is still waving, the birds that are still chirping, and the world that is still turning. Or the ability to see all of the things we were taking for granted so clearly.

Because even the coldest, dreariest, bleakest time of the year feels apricity.

So we can too.