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 278 – I am grateful that Sophie enjoys a nice long walk as much as I do. We’ve had a lovely time exploring together while Thomas stayed home with Daddy and had his nap.
Day 279 – I am grateful for an autumn walk around Black Park with Thomas.
Day 280 – I am grateful that Thomas has coped well with having to watch Sophie doing her swimming lessons (with a little help from Numberblocks on iPlayer to help keep him amused!)
Day 281 – I am grateful for a mid-morning “nic-nic” and a flask of tea by the lake.
Day 282 – I am grateful for Sophie’s help with planting daffodil bulbs.
Day 283 – I am grateful for my nice new waterproof jacket. The old one has lasted about 15 years and has been a little snug for the last 5. This one feels much more comfortable!
Day 284 – I am grateful for time together baking brownies with Sophie.
Aww! The first couple of photos of the kids really did make me smile. Thomas’s expression is so cute. The new jacket looks fab! I love the colour. I hope the brownies turned out well x
Thank you Kim, they were delicious 🙂
I’ve been planting bulbs this week too. I do like your new jacket – great colour!
Thank you Erica 🙂
I love how you’re still spending time outdoors with the kids, I’m grateful for my dog as it means I get out everyday.
Having a dog definitely helps you get out. I’m finding that I have to make more effort to get out now that the weather’s changed. I’ve been trying to do 1000 hours outside this year so having the challenge has helped encouraged me outside when I might have been tempted to stay in!
The first two photos made me smile, your cuties are sooo lovely. Glad to hear you’ve got a new waterproof jacket. I baked brownies yesterday, after watching the latest episode of GBBO. They smell so nice, when baking.
The nic-nic by the lake sounds wonderful.
Thank you Galina. Home-baked brownies are so nice – I love the smell when they’re baking too 🙂
The first couple of photos of the kids really did make me smile. They are so cute. And Thomas’s expression is so cute. The new jacket looks great. I do love the colour. I hope the brownies turned out tasty x
Thank you Susan. The brownies were yummy 🙂
Lots of time outdoors for you while it seems to have been non stop rain for us! I finally got around to some baking with the kids last weekend and they were so happy so I have promised myself to make more of an effort to do it weekly #project366
We’ve had some rain here too but I’ve been trying to get out in between the showers. It is lovely to do baking together – I should really try and do it more often too.
Lovely to see you’re managing to fit in so much outdoor time still. It’s been pouring hard here so none of us have felt like venturing out much ! Love the new coat – the colour is lovely 🙂
We’ve been lucky with the weather recently – there have been plenty of dry patches in amongst the rain and we’re trying to make the most of them.
I love the colour of your new jacket, looks like you have done some lovely walks. Mine are at the age where they have started grumbling when we go out
Thanks Kara. I’ll try and enjoy it while I can before Sophie reaches that stage!
Looks like you have had a great amount of time outdoors this week. I have also planted some new daffs this year. Cant wait to see their yellow petals appear.
It is lovely to plant them and have flowers to look forward to in spring.
Your old jacket lasted well. Lovely that Sophie and Thomas both love the outdoors as much as their big sister did. #366
It is lovely to see them enjoying getting out and about. Jessica certainly enjoyed getting outdoors 🙂
Loving all the outdoor photos!
Your jacket lasted well!
Thank you. It did last well although has definitely needed replacing for a while!
Oooh brownies how lovely! Well done Sophie baking with you. I like the colour of your new jacket. Love Sophie’s hat on your walk photo. Nice for the two of you to spend quality time together x
She loves baking and it is lovely to encourage that. It was nice to get a bit of one-to-one time together too.
What a lovely set of pictures! Fab to see you got out and about lots this week and lots of smiles too! You are certainly braver than I am going out gardening and planting daffodil bulbs, but will be awesome when they flower! x
Thank you. I’m looking forward to the daffodils and tulips emerging in the spring 🙂
It looks like it’s gotten quite cold where you live, I hope you enjoyed the walks. Tea by the lake sounds lovely. The jacket looks cool, lovely fresh yellow colour
It is starting to get much more chilly now. Good to be able to get out for autumn walks though.