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 117 – I am grateful for a family walk in the sunshine to help fundraise for Little Hearts Matter.
Day 118 – I am grateful for dandelions. We love harvesting them and making dandelion and lemon biscuits. This time though we are going to try making dandelion honey!
Day 119 – I am grateful that we managed to make dandelion honey and it is absolutely delicious. I suspect this little jar will not last very long at all!
Day 120 – I am grateful for the easel that our neighbours passed on to us after their children outgrew it. Used to love watching the girls using it together and it’s lovely that Sophie and Thomas can now enjoy using it together too.
Day 121 – I am grateful for pudding!
Day 122 – I am grateful for face paints. Sophie wanted to have her face painted this morning. Her verdict was “I like it Mummy, but you definitely shouldn’t do face paints at parties!” I think it’s safe to say that I won’t be embarking on a new venture as a face paint artist! But Sophie’s happy and that’s the main thing.
Day 123 – I am grateful for butterfly wings made from old cardboard boxes.
I want to make dandelion honey too, but someone mentioned their dogs in the garden, and now I’m thinking maybe not! My face painting isn’t much better/ Thankfully N never really liked having his done so I only had to do it once.
I have not heard of dandelion honey, going to look this up
I have seen pictures and videos of people making dandelion honey. It sounds amazing. I don’t think I’ll get to make any as all of the dandelions in our garden are turning white into seeds now.
Lovely photos x
Ooooh I think I need to start collecting dandelions who knew they were so versatile! What lovely colourful butterfly wings!
Oh never thought to collect dandelions and make something. Might have to give it a go one year.
My face painting skills are useless so I don’t bother! Love the wings
Like everybody else that has commented I have never used dandelions, may need to harvest and try.
Got to love the honesty of kids.
How nice of your neighbour to pass on the easel, I have a lot of garden toys from an ex neighbour who no longer needed them
Awww lovely, gorgeous, squidgy, smiley faces to brighten up the week ! I did giggle at Sophie’s comment ! I’m intrigued by dandelion honey too – I’d never even thought about it !
The dandelion honey looks amazing. I love how Sophie was so polite about your face painting skills! Thomas looks so happy with his pudding.
I’ve seen a lot of people making dandelion honey, I should’ve joined in as my lawn is full of them
So good of you to help in raise funds for a wonderful charity. Dandelion biscuit and honey? That’s the first I’ve heard of it. That’s a cool looking easel and butterfly wings. Pudding! Sophie looks so adorable!
Ooh I’m interested in dandelion honey! Just had a quick look at recipes and it seems vegan, yay! I had an easel when I was a child and now my kids have one too: great fun #project366
Dandelion honey sounds interesting – might try that as I have a bit of a crop. My face painting would be a similar level to yours, but thankfully H always hated having his done.
Is dandelion honey hard to make? I might have to try it, we have loads in our garden. Love the facepaints #project365 (sorry it’s late)
I think I need to start collecting dandelions. I’ve only made tea before. Now those are beautiful butterfly wings. Very impressive xx