Gladden (verb)

1. To make happy or cheerful; to bring joy to.
2. To become or make brighter or more cheerful.

Origin:

Old english glædan "make glad", of germanic origin; related to glad.

Examples:

1. The news of her son's safe return gladdened her heart.
2. The warm sun gladdened the flowers in the garden.
3. His kind words gladdened her spirits.
4. The sight of her old friends gladdened her heart.
5. The warm weather gladdened the hearts of the people who had been cooped up inside all winter.