#366daysofgratitude 2020 – Week 27

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:

 

Thomas playing with his Hey Duggee Clubhouse and toys; a happy Thomas with Numberblocks on the TV behind him; Sophie and Thomas outside the Iron Age hut at Chiltern Open Air Museum; Bovril on toast for breakfast; Sophie doing her home learning in the garden; Sophie cuddling a teddy bear wearing a nurse outfit; me and my husband on our wedding day - "#366daysofgratitude 2020 - Week 27"

 

Day 187 – I am grateful for the pure joy of watching a child being engrossed in play.

Day 188 – I am grateful for Numberblocks helping keep Thomas entertained so I can get on with necessary jobs.

Day 189 – I am grateful for a (home) ‘school trip’ to the open air museum.

Day 190 – I am grateful for a lie-in and being brought breakfast in bed this morning. Feel so much better for catching up on sleep.

Day 191 – I am grateful for such a good school report for Sophie (although it is a bit strange having a school report that only covers up to mid-March!) – good to know she was doing well at school and I’ve been so proud of how well she’s adjusted to all the changes of the last few months too. Well done Sophie!

Day 192 – I am grateful for teddy bears. Sophie loves her new bear. Thank you, Grandma and Grandad.

Day 193 – I am grateful for eleven years of married life with my wonderful hubby. We had a bit of a dramatic start to our anniversary with calling an ambulance as I had chest pain, palpitations and light-headedness in the early hours of the morning which was quite scary. The chest pain was probably caused by me sitting awkwardly the last time I’d fed Thomas which happened to be on the left side but as it all happened at the same time of night and on the same day of the week as the night Jessica died, it resulted in a panic attack which was what caused the palpitations and light-headedness. I’m okay today, just tired and feeling a bit wobbly but very thankful for the lovely paramedics who came out; for the fact that Sophie slept through it all, as it would have been very traumatic given her memories of the night Jessica died; and thankful to be here with my family.

 

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30 thoughts on “#366daysofgratitude 2020 – Week 27

  1. Aww! Thomas looks so happy playing on that first photo and it looks like he’s a big fan on Numberblocks. My two used to love it when they were little.
    What a treat to get breakfast in bed.
    Well done Sophie for her school report. We haven’t heard anything yet about my youngest’s.
    Happy anniversary to you and your hubby! What a scare for you to have chest pains and no wonder it brought on a panic attack. Sending love and hugs. I am glad you are feeling better now x

    1. Thanks Kim. He loves Numberblocks, it’s his favourite programme by far. The chest pain was a big scare, such a relief it was nothing more serious and at least I feel a bit more prepared for what a panic attack is like should it happen again.

  2. Oh my goodness, I’m glad you’re feeling OK now. What a scary experience for you both, and I can understand it bringing back some scary and painful memories. Big hugs. The kids look like they have had a great week and happy anniversary to the pair of you 🙂 xxx

  3. I am grateful for walking kids play joyfully too. It just melts my heart. Open air museum sounds like fun. Well done, Sophie! Sophie and the teddy bear look cute together. That’s a very beautiful and adorable wedding picture. Oh God, thankfully you are alright.It must’ve been tough having to go through that

    1. Thank you, it was quite scary but so thankful it was nothing serious. The open air museum is one of our favourite places – it’s so lovely to be able to go back there again.

  4. Hope you’re over your panic attached/scare now. Well done Sophie on her report. Sometimes it’s so nice to have a good lie in.

  5. Happy anniversary! So sorry to hear about you being ill in the night, that must have been scary. Thank goodness you were OK.
    Lovely smiles from the children in the photos this week, and how nice to go on a ‘school trip’.

    1. Thanks Sarah, it was such a relief that it was nothing serious. Sophie loved having a ‘school trip’ 🙂

  6. Oh dear the panic attack sounds very scary, they seem real enough of the time, and so sorry it brought such painful memories back.
    Happy belated Anniversary
    Well done to Sophie

  7. Happy anniversary but so sorry to hear about your panic attack, that must have been very frightening especially on that date also. Love the teddy bear and well done with Sophie’s school report. Numberblocks is great, I used it when teaching

    1. Thank you, it was a relief that it was nothing serious. Numberblocks is brilliant, I can imagine it’s a great tool for teaching.

  8. I agreee, it was strange getting school reports when they haven’t been in school for over 3 months! What an anniversary! So sorry for the worry you went through, hope you are ok now #project366

    1. Thank you – yes, certainly one to remember! Hopefully not something to be repeated though!

  9. Awww he does look so content playing! What a happy face. It is good isn’t it getting out and going somewhere different, the open air museum looks interesting. Well done Sophie on your school report. So glad you are feeling better, that must have been quite a worry for you all x

    1. Thanks Karen, it was a relief that it was nothing serious. It has been lovely being able to get out and about a little more.

  10. Happy anniversary to you! What a beautiful wedding photo! Sorry to hear you were not feeling well, and hope you are much better now. Big well done to Sophie on her school report. Also wanted to say Thank you so much for your kind comment on my post, you are a wise lady. Sadness and joy often come hand in hand.
    Is that toast with Marmite, or a well-done toast? 🙂 It’s lovely to have breakfast in bed.

    1. Thank you Galina – it does look like it could be well-done toast but thankfully it was Marmite and not burnt toast!

  11. Happy anniversary to you both. Sorry you got such a fright, but I’m glad you’re feeling OK now. Big hugs. The kids look like they have had a great week xxx

  12. Lots of smiles in the pictures this week! That wedding photo is awesome, you look so happy and gorgeous! I am so sorry to hear you weren’t feeling great on your anniversary, it must have been really scary but kudos to the paramedics. Hope you have rested up now and are feeling much better! Sim x

    1. Thank you – I’m feeling much better now and was very thankful it was nothing serious.

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