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 285 – I am grateful to be able to have services in the church again with a congregation.
Day 286 – I am grateful for getting to have an afternoon nap while Thomas had his.
Day 287 – I am grateful for twenty years with this lovely man of mine.
Day 288 – I am grateful that it is still light enough for outdoor adventures with Thomas while Sophie has her performing arts class. Last one tonight until after half term and after that the clocks will have gone back and we’ll be doing the walk there and back in the dark.
Day 289 – I am grateful for unexpected little things that show that Jessica is loved and remembered.
Day 290 – I am grateful for being able to have the tuff tray out with some toys today.
Day 291 – I am grateful that Strictly is back.
It must be so nice to be back in the church again. I hope the service went well.
It looks like the kids were loving Strictly.
Lovely photos! x
It is good to be back in the church again – it’s been a long time!
Lovely for you to be able to go back to church again. Happy anniversary – wow, 20 years ! 🙂 We weren’t supposed to be changing our clocks any more but apparently, due to covid delaying things, nothing is ready and we have another year to go. (Doesn’t seem to make such sense but who am I to argue ?!). That always really signals the start of winter – brrr !
Now that’s an unexpected side effect of Covid – I wouldn’t have imagined it would have made such a difference with the plan to not change the clocks.
I’m with you on Strictly being back on. Congratulations on the 20 years together.
Thank you Emma 🙂
Congratulations on 20 years!
We watched strictly too! A bit of normality in these weird times
Thank you. I love how they managed to keep so much of the Strictly magic even with the restrictions.
A little bit of Strictly is what we all need right now isn’t it. Glad you can have time back in your church again, congrats on 20 years together #366
Thank you. We’re loving Strictly being back 🙂
Congratulations on twenty years well done. I must admit I am not looking forward to the clock change and the darkness it will bring. What a lovely picture. I am also very grateful for strictly!
Thank you Clare. I never like the clocks going back and the dark evenings.
Happy Anniversary! Glad you are back in church again. Not looking forward to the clocks changing this weekend.
Thank you Erica. Can’t say I am looking forward to it either.
We haven’t changed clocks for almost 10 years, feels strange to be doing it. Who did the picture for Jess? Was it Sophie? it’s lovely. Must be nice being back in church with a congregation
Yes, it was Sophie – it was the top of a shaker she made. It was nice being back in church again – back to online services again now!
Happy anniversary! 20 years together is a cause for celebration. Thomas asleep is so cute.
Is it Sophie’s picture for Jessica? Very sweet.
Glad you were able to be back in church.
The clock going back is always confusing, I can never get adapted to the new time easily.
Thank you. Yes it was Sophie’s picture that she drew for Jessica. Was lovely to be back in church although we’re now back to online services again.
Happy anniversary to you both. I am so glad strictly is back too, we all need a bit of glitz and glam in our lives
Thank you. Strictly has certainly helped make me smile lately.
I am glad you have managed to go back to church. We seem to be just getting more and more locked down in Wales. Most things are closed at the moment and we are not allowed to travel anywhere unless its for an essential reason like health. Lovely photo of you and your partner, to many more wonderful years together!
Thank you Karen. We’re now about to go into lockdown again so it’ll be back to online services at church and being restricted again.
Congrats on 20 years! ooh I love a nap but all of my kids grew out of them between 12 and 18 months so now I manage to snooze amidst the madness! #project366
That’s tough having the kids grow out of naps that early. Sophie had grown out of naps by the age Thomas is now so I’m enjoying the fact that he still wants one each day!
Nice to be able to go to church again. May you have a long and happy married life 🙂 I love seeing all the kind gifts your friends and family give to Jessica. Cool tuff tray
Thank you 🙂