Hope sure as hell feels strange right now. But this week brought it for even the most stalwart pessimist. Earlier, we got the okay from CDC that vaccinated folks can gather indoors and  hug —hug! — one another (oh, and their grandkids). Then last night, President Biden offers us two dates — tantalizingly close — that give us a timeline of hope: May 1st, when there will be enough vaccines available for all Americans; and July 4th, when we should be cleared to celebrate with friends, family, and neighbors. We don’t want too ahead of ourselves, especially with the roller coaster we’ve experience this past year (“hopefulessness,” coined by Courtney Barnett , about captures the feeling). But, yes, this feels like pure, real hope. And it’s great to have it back.