As the pandemic intensified in spring 2020, I stopped running around Jamaica Pond since it was more crowded and the path narrower. I started running at the Arboretum instead, and lengthened my route since I wasn’t bike-commuting to the office anymore. Running at the Arboretum was often the only time I would leave the house. I started recognizing other regulars, even behind masks, and we’d say hello. I pushed myself up ‘lilac hill,’ and marveled at the spring flowers. In the summer, I saw turkeys with their poults, and bees in the linden tree blossoms. In the fall, I lengthened my route again in anticipation of seeing the evergreens in the snow. Running on a sunny morning after a snowfall is magical, but seeing snow falling among the evergreens may be even more so. This spring, I detoured to find the blooming buckeyes and horse chestnuts, and wandered the rhododendron path. Later, I stared at the intricate mountain laurel flowers. The Arboretum was my therapy during the worst of the pandemic, and has become a more cherished friend.