By Elisabeth Strillacci

It’s been a mild winter overall, and though I’m happy for the warmth, that comes with its own challenges.

But it’s also been a tough winter in spots, with freezing temps one day, then 60s the next, and intense rains and wind.

Which is what the Farmer’s Almanac predicted for us, a winter of rain instead of snow, and some more extreme weather because of El Nino.

Science aside, it’s just been strange.

The holiday season seemed to absorb some of that. So many folks I’ve talked to said they didn’t fully have the Christmas spirit this year, and the turning of calendar to a new year has not sparked as much of the newness as usual.

I say we need sunshine and vitamin D.

When you walk outside and sun is shining, not a cloud in the sky, the temperature does not demand a winter coat — maybe a sweater at most — and perhaps there is an ever so slight breeze, you feel good.

Birds are singing, you usually hear kids laughing somewhere, and on those kinds of days, people you pass smile and say hello.

Sunshine just brings out our happier selves.

Maybe it takes us back to our childhood years and summers spent outside, playing with friends, walking beaches or sailing on lakes, or washing family cars and getting soaked and not caring one bit.

Maybe it’s remembering fresh watermelon and snow cones and swings.

Maybe it’s the thought of lazing on the beach or on the dock and reading a book that isn’t for school but for fun.

Maybe it’s remembering days when we didn’t have heavy responsibilities, where we felt safe and comfortable and we felt like things were going to be OK.

Or maybe I’m just actively recalling those things because they make me feel better, but I’m not going to stop. I’m still looking for all the reassurances and joys of a simple sunny day.

More heavy weather is coming at us this weekend and I suspect we are a long way from the end of winter and the odd forecast this year.

But I’m alright with that, because here in the South, we do have those sunny days in between. We have those plants that stay green no matter what, and we have those optimistic plants that will pop their heads out at the first sign of sunshine, making me almost laugh out loud at their enthusiasm.

So on these gray, overcast, rainy, stormy days, I’ll hunker down and wade through, knowing that the sun is coming back. But I’ll also try to carry the feeling of a sunny day with me wherever I go, because it makes me feel so much better. And if I can share that sunshine with you, so much the better.

Elisabeth Strillacci is former editor of the Salisbury Post.