People don’t give late winter its due justice in appreciating the seasons. 

Everyone always says spring or fall is their favorite because the temperatures aren’t as extreme, but winter has its beauty beyond the snow and ice it’s known for.

Winter can be a dreadful time of year; I’m not saying it’s always the best. 

Winter can be dark, cold and overall blegh, but late winter can be one of the most beautiful times of the year.

I, like many, suffer from seasonal depression, and I’ll be the first to admit that the darkness and isolation of winter can amplify the effects greatly.

With that being said, one of the best feelings in the world is when the sun comes out and the daffodils bloom. 

I feel like I can breathe again, like life isn’t so bleak.

Daffodils are my favorite flower, but they also signal to me that everything will be okay, the year is new, and I’ve made it this far.

I’ve loved daffodils for as long as I can remember. The white centers with light yellow petals cover my Mimi’s garden every year around my birthday.

The variety in her garden is an old one from before selective breeding in large-scale production and sale, but they’ve been growing there for generations.

Sentimental as they are to me, daffodils aren’t the only beautiful thing about this time of year.

Animals birth — baby cows pepper the landscapes, and the happy squeals of piglets create a chorus with the chatter of baby goats.

A lot of these things are typically associated with Easter and spring’s arrival, but when you’ve spent all of winter longing to see life outside, you notice these things pretty fast.

Of course, the weather isn’t always predictable, and the rain and snow can be inconvenient; unlike December, there will be green under the snow just waiting to pop out.

Most people think that an ideal day is not hot but still sunny, not cold but still a cooling breeze. The past few weeks fit that description almost perfectly, and the daffodils are blooming en masse.

Sure, it’s annoying to dress for at times when you know you need a jacket in the morning and something that won’t overheat you by noon, but throw together some layers, and it’s fine.

Is there still unpredictability when it comes to severe weather? 

Yes, some Februarys see snow, and others see spring showers and tornadoes, but that is the versatility of our world, and it just adds to the spunky appeal of this time of year.

Winter isn’t an evil entity that seeks to consume our happiness in life. 

Winter is rather a period of rest, a time that nature uses to renew itself to begin the process of growth once more.

We should be kinder about winter, as it brings us the best gift once it thaws.