At the start of 2016, inspired by a friend, I started a daily gratitude challenge – posting one thing that I was thankful for each day on Instagram. I enjoyed it so much that when I reached the end of that year, I carried on and have kept going ever since. Finding one little thing to be thankful for each day has now become part of my daily routine and I’ve loved seeing friends joining in along the way too.
Finding little things to be grateful for isn’t always easy, especially when living through scary and uncertain times. I have found though that trying to find something, however small and trivial, to be grateful for has helped me through some of the hardest days of my life.
My eldest daughter Jessica, who died in April 2018, 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. And even though having to live life without Jessica is by far the hardest thing I have ever had to do, I will continue to look for those little things to be thankful for, and keep going with this challenge in honour of my beautiful brave girl.
Here are my grateful moments from the past week:
Day 110 – I am grateful for time to sit in the sunshine with a cup of tea and a giant biscuit.
Day 111 – I am grateful that the love between Sophie and Jessica is still there and that bond can never be broken. It is lovely that Jessica is still in Sophie’s thoughts although it makes me sad too that she misses her sister so much. I’m glad that she is able to express these thoughts more now through writing and drawing though.
Day 112 – I am grateful that the roses are starting to bloom.
Day 113 – I am grateful for home-made IKEA-style meatballs – yummy!
Day 114 – I am grateful for being able to have an outdoor classroom.
Day 115 – I am grateful that hubby has put the ‘party tent’ (as Sophie calls it) up in the garden.
Day 116 – I am grateful for being able to enjoy dining alfresco.
Louise,
I’m sure Sophie gets a lot of benefit from expressing her thoughts and feelings on paper.
“You played very lovely music” — what a delightful turn of phrase!
Ohh! Yum! That Jammy Dodger is massive.
That is so sweet there is that bond between Sophie and Jessica.
It looks like you’ve had some lovely time in the garden this week x
The rose is lovely. Sophie’s drawing is very sweet – sad that she misses her sister though.
Sophie’s drawing and writing for Jessica is so lovely, Jessica is obviously still very much in her heart.
Your photos are so summery this week. Being able to spend time in the garden during lockdown definitely makes it easier.
Is it just me, or is that jammy dodger supersized! Would love one of those to dunk into my tea. I love how you have written this with reasons to be grateful. It’s a good way to look at things when we are in lockdown!
Aww, Sophie’s drawing and writing for Jessica is so lovely. Jessica is very much in her heart. It’s nice being able to spend time in the garden during the lockdown, definitely makes it easier xx
It’s lovely Sophie is able to express her thoughts about Jessica through writing and drawing. The outdoor classroom looks fab and is a great idea
It’s a lovely drawing and message for her sister – one to keep and cherish. The bond is very special and will undoubtedly last for her whole life. Loving the outdoor time – it’s great to have nice weather now and to be able to enjoy it 🙂
Nice that she does remember her sister fondly, and that picture is a keeper.
The gazebo will have many uses and nice to get children out into the garden
That biscuit is huge! That’s very sweet of Sophie to remember her sister with so much love. Cool party tent
So nice when roses come out – like summer. The meatballs would go down wel; here with myself and N.
I love your sunshade, I need to find something like that for our garden
I am so glad Sophie had what she had with Jessica but I know it is hard for children when they loose a sibling.
My kids want to sleep in the tent in the garden again and I am not that keen! 🙂 #project365
We have started having meatballs recently as I have discovered vegan ones so I can join in: I have no idea what makes Ikea ones special but loads of people love them! #project366
I love the look of the party tent, ideal for when the weather is warm. The garden is making all the difference for us at the moment.