My deck was covered with snow and dog shit for most of the winter of 2020–2021. When the snow melted, it left only the dog shit that slowly dried in the sun as it emerged from winter’s darkness.

We could have a small birthday party out on the deck yesterday for my father, who turned 88 on April 6th, my son who turned 22 on April 3rd, my older son who turns 24 on April 13th, and for me who will turn 58 on April 25th.

This gathering was in stark contrast to how things felt last April, which was…