Has there ever been a time when your faith was restored in humanity? Storm Jonas gave that to me. Not only did the blizzard bring copious amounts of snow, it also brought a sense of community. Living in an apartment complex with no indoor parking proved to be quite a difficult situation when the snowfall finally stopped: we had to dig out our cars.

Living in Connecticut my whole life has taught me: snow is no joke, but never have I experienced unearthing my car like some paleontologist digging up a Tyrannosaurus Rex. I just kept telling myself over and over again "You're an adult now, and this is what adults do." Which definitely did not make the shoveling go any faster, but kept me going.

As the morning waned, more and more of the neighborhood came out to decipher the best way to free their helpless vehicles from the cold clutches of 30 plus inches of snow. When in such seemingly hopeless conditions: bonds are formed, friendships are made, and a community comes together to help one another. I made a multitude of friends and got to meet other residents in my complex, which normally does not happen.

"Where are you from?" "What's your name?" "Which car is yours?" "What did you do while we were all stuck inside?" "Fairfax originally, moved here when I retired." "Jeremy, what's yours?" "That blue one, it's under there somewhere." "Watched TV and movies, how about you?"

It does not matter what your political beliefs are, what ivy league school you attended or didn't, or even how old you are: when everyone is faced with treacherous weather conditions, we as people are struggling, but struggling together. Borrowing shovels, helping spread kitty litter on the ground, for traction, and pushing people's cars out of the snow were only some of the highlights of the communal winter excavation.

It warms my heart to know I live in a place where people will go out of their way to help one another. I wish I had a picture with all the friends I made, but I left my cell phone inside while shoveling so I would not be able to check the time.

What I have learned from this whole experience is that you never have to go through anything alone. There will always be people who are in the same boat as you and if you join forces, things that you thought would be difficult, can actually be fun.

You never have to go through anything alone.

Sometimes a blizzard is just the thing you need to cheer you up.