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 250 – I am grateful for all the love that surrounds us and Jessica and to know that she has been remembered and thought of by so many people on her 9th birthday. It’s been a tough day as you can imagine, but we took her cake to her along with a selection of flowers made up from the different bouquets people had sent for her and had a little birthday picnic. Happy birthday my beautiful big girl. You are so very loved xxx
Day 251 – I am grateful that the wooden puzzles that belonged to Jessica have been enjoyed by both her younger siblings too.
Day 252 – I am grateful for getting out for a walk and a catch-up with a friend for the first time in six months.
Day 253 – I am grateful for books.
Day 254 – I am grateful that we have safe spaces inside and outside so that Thomas can freely move between his toys inside and those set up outside. I love the way he stands by the patio doors waiting for me to “ope de doors” so he can get outside and play.
Day 255 – I am grateful for time to sit out in the garden in the afternoon, doing craft activities with Sophie.
Day 256 – I am grateful for pretty dresses with swirly skirts.
Oh that is such a gorgeous stripey dress – I’m very envious. I bet she loves it.
She certainly does. I’d quite like one for myself! 🙂
It sounds like a lovely way to celebrate Jessica’s birthday. She is so loved.
How lovely you could get out to meet your friend.
What a gorgeous party dress. There is nothing better than a swirly skirt x
Thank you Kim. Sophie loves her new dress 🙂
Wow that rainbow dress is quite amazing. Glad you were all able to be with Jessica on her birthday.
It’s a gorgeous dress, isn’t it? It helps to be able to do something special for Jessica on her birthday.
What a fab way to celebrate Jessicas birthday and lovely so many of your friends remembered her special day.
Thank you. It meant a lot that other people remembered her too.
Oh that is such a gorgeous stripey dress. I would love that. Glad you got to go visit. All my love xx
Thanks Susan x
That is so sweet that you had a picnic at Jessica’s special place, with the cake and flowers.
Love the stripey dress, it’s skirt is so swishy!
My boys loved their wooden puzzles as well. Glad you were able to meet up with a friend after six months.
It was lovely to meet up with someone other than a family member again.
So lovely that so many people sent flowers for Jessica. Sending love.
Wooden jigsaws have long been a favourite here too
Sophies dress is so pretty I wish they made them in adult sizes too
Thank you Clare. I’d quite like a dress like that too!
I really love the dress! So pretty with all the colours and looks perfect for swirling. Glad the birthday picnic went well. So nice your friends sent flowers.
Thank you. I’m glad I was able to share flowers from so many different people – it really did feel like that bouquet was put together with a lot of love.
Ooh love that rainbow dress! I love seeing my younger children enjoying the toys of the older ones and sometimes even my toys that my parents kept! #project366
How lovely that your children can enjoy some of your old toys. I have very few of my old ones still.
How lovely that people sent you flowers and I adore that rainbow dress – where did you get it from?
Thank you. The rainbow dress was from Next. It’s gorgeous, isn’t it? 🙂
Happy birthday Jessica . I love the idea of you all sharing her cake – I’m sure she was looking down and smiling 🙂 Oh wow, that dress is absolutely beautiful.
Thank you, it’s become a little tradition now and I’m sure she would have approved.