Catherine Nicolai

It had chased all the warmth right out of me. And after I'd closed up the windows, I'd had to layer two pairs of sweatpants on to sleep in.

It had chased all the warmth right out of me. And after I'd closed up the windows, I'd had to layer two pairs of sweatpants on to sleep in.

Older and wiser, I opened the curtains rather than the windows themselves.

Older and wiser, I opened the curtains rather than the windows themselves.

Older and wiser, I opened the curtains rather than the windows themselves.

and sunlight filled my rooms. I got dressed excitedly, still dressing warmly, but choosing a thinner sweater.

and sunlight filled my rooms. I got dressed excitedly, still dressing warmly, but choosing a thinner sweater.

and sunlight filled my rooms. I got dressed excitedly, still dressing warmly, but choosing a thinner sweater.

and just regular socks rather than the double-thick ones, which I knew barely squeezed into my shoes.

and just regular socks rather than the double-thick ones, which I knew barely squeezed into my shoes.

and just regular socks rather than the double-thick ones, which I knew barely squeezed into my shoes.

Back downstairs, I donned my coat and boots and was out the door again. I still didn't know where I was going, but I felt the urge to go, to see, to be out in the world. On the road, as my car warmed up around me. I figured a coffee from the coffee shop, a bun from the bakery, and then a long drive out on the state road would be perfect.

Back downstairs, I donned my coat and boots and was out the door again. I still didn't know where I was going, but I felt the urge to go, to see, to be out in the world. On the road, as my car warmed up around me. I figured a coffee from the coffee shop, a bun from the bakery, and then a long drive out on the state road would be perfect.

Back downstairs, I donned my coat and boots and was out the door again. I still didn't know where I was going, but I felt the urge to go, to see, to be out in the world. On the road, as my car warmed up around me. I figured a coffee from the coffee shop, a bun from the bakery, and then a long drive out on the state road would be perfect.

I'd stop at that bridge that crosses the river and get out and listen to the ice breaking up. Reaching into my bag, I found my sunglasses. I hadn't needed them in quite a while. When I slipped them on and turned on the radio, I smiled into the sun. Sweet dreams.

I'd stop at that bridge that crosses the river and get out and listen to the ice breaking up. Reaching into my bag, I found my sunglasses. I hadn't needed them in quite a while. When I slipped them on and turned on the radio, I smiled into the sun. Sweet dreams.

I'd stop at that bridge that crosses the river and get out and listen to the ice breaking up. Reaching into my bag, I found my sunglasses. I hadn't needed them in quite a while. When I slipped them on and turned on the radio, I smiled into the sun. Sweet dreams.

If you're listening, you know self-care is vital for overall wellness, but it can be hard to prioritize yourself and ask for what you need. If you're a veteran going through a tough time, there are people who want to listen and help with no pressure or judgment. Dial 988, then press 1. Chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net or text 838255 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.

If you're listening, you know self-care is vital for overall wellness, but it can be hard to prioritize yourself and ask for what you need. If you're a veteran going through a tough time, there are people who want to listen and help with no pressure or judgment. Dial 988, then press 1. Chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net or text 838255 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.

If you're listening, you know self-care is vital for overall wellness, but it can be hard to prioritize yourself and ask for what you need. If you're a veteran going through a tough time, there are people who want to listen and help with no pressure or judgment. Dial 988, then press 1. Chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net or text 838255 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.