vital signs.

She had always known this season as her greatest adversary.  Rigid with dread, she would fold at its first sign, falling victim to a wretched paralysis.

For reasons of an elusive nature, she now discovered that something had changed.  Maybe she had found previously misplaced strength, or perhaps the cold was simply trying to make amends.  All she knew for certain was, each time she bundled up to venture out into the world, felt the burn in her throat, the sting on her face, heart beating, blood pumping, her body fighting back - It only reminded her that she was alive.