We moved to Roslindale in 2020, at the height of the pandemic. Our family of four was packed into a two-bedroom in the South End during the lockdown; our new home by the Mendem gate of the Arboretum gave us space to breathe, both literally and figuratively. When we moved, our eldest daughter began outdoor preschool in the Arboretum. Her younger sister has since joined. Rain or shine, all year round, they explore the park, learning in and with the stunning nature around them. Some of my most cherished memories are from our ritualized walks to school, by scooter, stroller and sometimes even by sled. Our takeaway: you don’t have to wait for perfect conditions to enjoy your world. The paths throughout the park are a constant in my life; I have run them weekly, I waddled them when I became pregnant with our third child, and slowly walked them while my newborn son slept in a carrier on my chest. The Arboretum has proven to be a respite from our busy lives; a place where not only trees, but its visitors flourish and grow.