One thing that really lifted my spirits and gave me hope was recently watching a sunrise with my friends. After nearly a year of quarantine, state restrictions loosened enough for us to be able to meet together outside, so we decided to get up early one morning ( 6:10 a.m.), meet outside my house, and hike up to Hunter’s Point to watch the 6:43 a.m. sunrise.
Despite my friends’ complaints about waking up early and arriving on time, they showed up, which reaffirmed our bond and proved that quarantine had not changed our friendships. It was the first time most of my friends and I had gathered in months, and despite the masks and distancing, it really gave me a sense of normalcy to joke around with my friends in person. Additionally, it helped to alleviate my fears about quarantine eroding my ability to socialize and not be awkward. While seeing my friends again was the most important part of the experience for me, the sunrise was also symbolic: it made me realize that every new day offers new opportunities and new developments in the fight against the pandemic. With each new day, more people were getting vaccinated and more schools are making plans to open up.
I set the photo of me and my friends, with the sun rising behind us, as my phone’s home screen and now whenever I go unlock my phone, I am filled with a sense of renewed hope, happiness, and the knowledge that no matter what, things will eventually get better.
Submitted by Irene Y., Santa Clara County – Cupertino.