Winter Light

4:56 PM, December 18, 2021.

The deceptively frigid beams of a school entrance lamp illuminates my face against a patch of bright primary yellow. I’m wearing a vintage wool hat, hand made in Canada and a shade of Nu artistique on my lips. I’ve never gone out of my way to buy or even wear lipstick, but decided this day was the day.

As the light, powdery snow settled perfectly on the ground, it glittered playfully, making even the most winter-averse break into a warm smile. For a brief minute, life felt like a department store winter wonderland display. The momentary escape was enough to come back feeling lighter; just enough to find the courage to carry on through this bizarre and crazy world.