As the stubbornness of winter continues to hang on like an unwanted house guest, holding us hostage with its seemingly endless string of gloomy rainy days, there is light on the horizon, beautiful early spring days that tempt us with what is to come.

In a way, it is a fitting end to a year where we were tested like no other year. And now, as we round the corner towards more freedom thanks to the increased availability of vaccines, these little glimpses of spring give us hope like no other time in modern history.

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I remember in March 2020 as the pandemic was beginning to take hold, we had an unusual number of warm sunny days, days that felt more like summer than spring. And these days were a gift, because as we isolated our families from the world, we had the ability to be outside, to walk, and to enjoy nature together. That all changed as winter approached our doorsteps, that isolation turned to panic for many people wondering if we were ever going to get to the end of this dark tunnel.

But now, like caterpillars turning into butterflies, the warm weather along with the renewed hopefulness that the vaccines are bringing us, will allow us to spread our wings again, to feel the sun on our faces, the warm breeze in our hair, the freedom of being outside and freedom in general from the fear that has gripped us now for more than a year.

In a way, I feel like a bear who has hibernated through the winter and am just now peeking outside the lair, trying to decide if I am ready to venture back into the world. The answer is a resounding yes.

In a few weeks, the world will be alive again with spring blooms, Carolina blue skies, and warmer temperatures with no end in sight. That’s the beauty of living in North Carolina. It’s one of the main reasons why those of us who were not born here choose to make it our home.

Hang on friends, it’s coming. Get ready to spread your wings …

Amanda is the mom of two, a reporter for WRAL-TV and the author of several books including some on motherhood. Find her here on Mondays.