I’m sure most of you agree February can be a cold and unpleasant month. Living in the south makes it a bit less freezing than those in the north, however, it is cold — to us.

In a normal year — we haven’t had one of those in a while — snowbirds from Canada and folks from the northern states come here to get a respite from the snow. Not many visitors here this year due to travel restrictions. I don’t miss the traffic, but I do miss visiting with people — not just locals, but our vacationing friends.

Something I find encouraging is the change in the amount of daylight. An extra thirty minutes in the late afternoon seems like a heavenly gift. Well, I guess that’s exactly what it is. A sign that spring will be coming sooner rather than later.

One new thing I’m excited about this year — getting the vaccine for COVID-19. Who knew receiving a shot is something I’d ever be grateful to have? It means I’ll feel more comfortable returning to doing things that haven’t been normal in a year. Like shopping, not just for groceries, but for things I don’t really need. Those extras that bring joy like a new table decoration or garden flag.

Yes, February 2021 is still cold and rainy, but it’s also bringing the begining of the end of the pandemic. Let’s all be grateful.