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 131 – I am grateful for a virtual church parade service – so lovely to see so many members of our Boys’ and Girls’ Brigades taking part.
Day 132 – I am grateful for wipes and washing powder!
Day 133 – I am grateful for being able to get out for a nice long walk all by myself.
Day 134 – I am grateful for this lovely print that one of my friends sent me for my birthday. I have a little robin in my garden and I always think of Jessica when he hops over to say hello to me.
Day 135 – I am grateful to be able to visit Jessica’s forever bed again.
Day 136 – I am grateful that drawing pictures and writing cards helps Sophie with missing friends and family.
Day 137 – I am grateful for scooter rides with Sophie.
hehehe! I remember my two getting in the same sort of state as Thomas especially with spaghetti bolognese. They were always left with an orange tint on their faces. lol
That print is gorgeous. What a lovely friend to send send it. x
Lol yes, we have a few photos of the girls looking like Oompa Loompas too! 🙂
Gosh, that walking path by the canal is gorgeous! What a great place to talk a walk and have a break away from all this craziness!
Designing and writing Miss You cards for friends is a lovely activity idea for children, I will get my daughter onto this later. Gives her an excuse to use her pens and gret creative! Hope you had a lovely weekend and here’s to another great week… hopefully with some sunshine! Sim x #Project366
We’ve had a few sessions of writing notes/drawing pictures for friends and it is such a nice way to keep in touch.
I remember the orange-stained faces and bibs – it seems so long ago now ! Loving the smiley faces and I’m jealous of you getting out for a lovely walk all by yourself ! xx
It was certainly much-needed that day!
That cute photo of your little one eating! Love that, remember the mess mine used to make! Now they are much bigger sob, where does time go! Your daughter has made some lovely cards. Glad it helps her with missing everyone.
Making cards has been a great way to help her keep in touch with friends.
Thomas’s cheeky face is always guaranteed to make me smile! What a lovely view by the river. It must have been so nice to be able to visit Jessica’s forever bed again after so long. x
Thanks Sarah, he does have an adorably cheeky face. It’s been so good to be able to visit Jessica’s forever bed – I found it so hard not being able to x
I love that family robin print. So lovely. I think online meetings are so good for getting people together. Could you imagine what life in lockdown would have been like if it had been 20 years ago!
It certainly would have been a lot harder. I’m very thankful for the technology that has helped us stay connected.
Parade service sounds interesting. It looks like a beautiful place to walk and the print is very lovely, the robins look lovely. Cute heartfelt cards
Parade service is just one where the Boys’ and Girls’ Brigade join in (and then normally they would line up outside church afterwards for a short parade in the car park)
I love that robin print! How lovely to have the virtual church and I’ve heard of one priest (in USA I think) that used a water pistol for holy water! Community and flexibility are elements of humaity to be proud of! #project366
Yes I’ve seen the photos online of priests using a water pistol for holy water. Brilliant idea!
I remember my three getting in the same sort of state as Thomas especially with spaghetti bolognese or custard it would be everywhere. Cute to look back now. That print is so special. Nice of your friend doing it xx
Lol yes spaghetti bolognese and custard are both very messy 🙂
I got a lovely drawing from each of the grandchildren this week, so lovely to receive.
What a lovely birthday gift, and nice to read the robin brings you back nice memories. Happy Belated birthday
Thank you. How lovely to get a drawing from each of your grandchildren, so special 🙂
I am glad you managed to visit Jessica this week and that robin picture is adorable. Happy birthday xx
Thank you Kara, the robin picture made me smile.
What a lovely print and so thoughtful of your friend. I still remember the boys turning orange with spag bol. Cant beat going for a scooter walk and how lovely to have some you time. It is so important at the moment.
Getting little snippets of time for myself makes such a difference at times.
What a lovely and special gift of the robin family print for your birthday. How lovely for you to have the virtual church services
Thank you. It is lovely to be able to have our services online.
Thomas is so cute, mucky face and all. Just adorable. Love the thoughtful gift your friend gave to you. Glad you were able to visit Jessica’s resting place. Sophie’s drawings are lovely.
Thank you. It’s been so good to be able to visit Jessica again.
Must have been so nice to go out for a walk alone!
Yep wipes are a saviour..cute picture though!
Love that picture..so nice of your friend
That walk on my own was definitely much needed!