March came and went this year. My favourite month, filled with sweet sunny promises of pale green buds and the soft scents heralding trees full of bloom. I turned 31 in March, my husband turned 34.

My children appeared to become more self aware. Of the world around them and their own existence in it. Opinions firmer, questions deeper.

I think I grew a bit too, mentally resilient. I had to parent alone for a long time, I still am parenting alone, with the end in sight but not yet in reach.

But it’s April now, we have finally emerged from the darkness of winter, the sun is out for longer, it’s brighter, and my neighbour’s magnolia tree has exploded, vibrant pinkish white which gleams in this gorgeous spring sunshine.

It’s not our moods that get us down in the winter, it’s the lack of serotonin-inducing sunlight!