Posted: Apr 07, 2021 3:52 PM ET | Last Updated: April 7 comments (Photography, middle: Marcella DiLonardo; credit, left and right: CBC Life) The month of April always inspires nostalgia for me. I am reminded of watching my mom plant her first herbs and flowers of the season, walking through the farmers market in my hometown and spending time in the sun with the ones I love. It's been almost two years since I've seen my family. They live in the States, geographically not too far from Montreal where I live, but everything feels farther away these days. Since I haven't been able to see them, I rely on memories; I've held onto them especially tightly this year. One dear to me is of a day in late April 2019 when I was visiting my parents in my small New Jersey hometown. I remember walking outside the apartment building where they live. It was that time of year when daylight began to linger for longer and the sun shined brighter. Everything just seemed more alive. A light breeze picked up the scent of fresh flowers and I was momentarily stunned by the brightness of the sun in my eyes.