For three years, I have taken part in a daily gratitude challenge, sharing a photo of one thing I am thankful for each day on Instagram. There have been days when finding little things to be grateful for has been very easy to do and others when it has been incredibly hard. Life as a bereaved parent is quite a rollercoaster at times. There have been many moments when I don’t feel grateful for anything at all – just broken and bruised. However, looking for those little moments has helped me even on the darkest of days. Hard though it may be at times, I have always managed to find something to be thankful for.
My eldest daughter Jessica was an inspiration to me throughout her short life. She had so much strength and such a wonderful zest for life. Her godmother described her once as a “joy carrier” and it was the perfect description for her. She was a little ray of sunshine, full of smiles and gave joy to all who knew her. I am, and will always be, grateful to be her mummy. She taught me to enjoy the little moments and to make the most of everyday because tomorrow is never promised. I continue with this challenge in honour of my beautiful brave girl.
If you would like to join me in a daily gratitude challenge for 2019, do feel free to use the hashtag #LHBL365daysofgratitude2019 on Instagram so I can find your posts there.
Day 62 – I am grateful that hubby got up with the children so I could have a lie-in this morning. This photo of Jessica saying “hooray” to be going home after a hospital stay popped up in my Timehop yesterday. It summed up how I feel about having a lie-in quite nicely (plus seeing photos of my beautiful big girl makes me smile and I’m grateful to have so many of them).
Day 63 – I am grateful for the joy when Sophie and Thomas are reunited after school. The hugs, the smiles and the laughs. Oh how it reminds me of how joyful my girls were to be reunited whenever they were apart. Sibling love is such a beautiful thing.
Day 64 – I am grateful that Sophie had fun decorating pancakes at school and then we enjoyed some more yummy pancakes for tea.
Day 65 – I am grateful for sloppy baby kisses from my beautiful boy.
Day 66 – I am grateful that Sophie chose a book that we already had the dress-up outfit for!
Day 67 – I am grateful for Jessica’s and Sophie’s school. Jessica loved her time there and Sophie is really happy there too. They were so supportive of Jessica’s additional needs and have continued to be wonderfully supportive since her death. This evening we attended the official opening of her memorial at school. Jessica’s friends and Sophie helped make the pretty mosaic butterflies that are on the wall next to her picture and there is an outdoor art space dedicated to Jessica. We wrote down memories of Jessica on ribbons and tied them to a big butterfly on the wall of the shed next to the arts space. It was lovely to share memories of Jessica this evening with her teachers and classmates and family members, and to know that she is still remembered with so much love.
Day 68 – I am grateful for the opportunity to try out Room on the Broom: A Magical Journey at Chessington this morning before it opened to the public.
I love this idea! What a wonderful reminder to cultivate a grateful attitude each day.