And it's also striking considering that, elsewhere in the United States, this past winter was known more for its warmth than its white stuff.

CNN: Anchorage breaks seasonal snowfall record

Leather couches and chairs are arranged close to an ethanol fireplace, and it became our habit to relax in its warmth, browsing magazines and guidebooks, before heading off for a spell of sightseeing.

FORBES: The Impressive Bulgari Hotel Milan

As it was for me and the country a decade ago, we can choose to embrace life and bask in its warmth, or pull apart and fragment.

FORBES: Birth, Death and 9/11