Snowflakes drifted from the opalescent sky, settling happily on the frozen ground with their fellows. I adjusted my grey bobble hat and gazed up at the heavens. A blob of the beautiful white powder landed on my nose, tomato-red with cold.

I thanked my lucky genie for such weather and good fortune. It hardly ever snowed in this part of the world. Entranced, I watched it float down, catching in the spindly leafless trees and swirling through the chilly air, growing in volume. I was getting wet, but I didn’t care. I tucked my long chestnut-coloured fishtail braid over one shoulder, suddenly feeling and obeying the urge to sing and dance with joy.

No one was around, anyway.

I sang happily, my sweet, clear voice ringing out. The air smelled like Christmas; cinnamon, nutmeg and chocolate. I never would dare to sing in front of others, only in the safety of my own home by the blazing fire. I was much too shy for my own good. But here, alone with nature, I was liberated. The snow wouldn’t judge. The snow didn’t care.

The odd thing- I was truly happy again, for the first time since Alex left. I didn’t need love. I didn’t need a partner. I was myself. And I was enough for me.

I was enough. I smiled.