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 341 – I am grateful that I managed to put together all the video content for this morning’s service and it all worked. Hubby normally does this as it’s his area of expertise but he’s away this week so gave me a quick lesson in how to use the software before he went. Think it also helped having sat and watched him put services together a few times before. Nice to learn some new skills as well.
Day 342 – I am grateful for Advent Christmas lights to look out for each day.
Day 343 – I am grateful for all the lovely memories I have of my dad who died eleven years ago today. I wish my children could have known what a lovely funny man their grandad was, although I like to think that he is now looking after Jessica for me and being the loving grandad to her now that he would have been in life.
Day 344 – I am grateful that Father Christmas was still able to do his rounds of our local roads this year. Sophie was so excited to see him.
Day 345 – I am grateful that happiness is a little boy with an apple in his hand and a puddle to stomp in.
Day 346 – I am grateful that last year’s Christmas jumpers still fit.
Day 347 – I am grateful for time to sit and make two Christmas wreaths – one for us and one for Jessica.
I am glad to see that the kids got to see Father Christmas, I am disappointed that there are no events to take them to this. Have you seen that Fiona has sold Coombe Mill – was hoping to head back next year 🙁
It is strange not having Christmas events. I did see that Fiona has sold Coombe Mill – I wonder how different it will be without her and Nick running it.
I am glad the church service went well.
What a lovely photo of you and your dad. Sending love and hugs.
We have the Santa buggy coming round the streets near us this week. I can’t wait to see it. x
Thank you Kim. It’s lovely having the Santa buggy come and visit. Hope you get to see it where you are too x
Lovely photo of you and your dad together, are you wearing a scouting or air steward outfit, I can’t work it out. The Christmas wreaths look fab and well done on the technical stuff for the online service
It was a fancy dress party – I think it was supposed to be an air force uniform.
Lovely photo of you and your dad.
Kids and puddles! They just love them don’t they? The wreaths are looking good!
Thank you. Was pleased with how the wreaths turned out.
Lovely photo of you and your father I am sure he is with Jessica looking after her. The lights look really pretty and I am impressed with the wreaths. I had plans to make one this year but haven’t managed it. Well done on putting the service together.
Thank you, I was pleased with how the wreaths turned out.
What gorgeous Christmas lights, we are lucky our neighbours seem to be putting up lots this year. I would love to get a few more, next year hopefully. It’s always a win isn’t it when the Christmas jumpers still fit! Just going to squeeze my boys into their ones for Christmas day x
It’s lovely seeing the lights. We don’t have any up ourselves but always like seeing other people’s!
The local Santa sleigh run by the scouts was cancelled this year which is such a shame as I have been out with it the last few years when Matthew and Anya were in Beavers. Beautiful wreaths #project366
Oh that is a shame. Hopefully it will be back again next year though.
Wow, gorgeous Christmas lights and a fabulous visit from Santa – lovely to see it all happening despite coronavirus. So many things have been cancelled. The wreaths are lovely too 🙂
It was lovely to have a visit from Santa – one of the few things that wasn’t cancelled this year.
You are so lucky that last year’s Christmas jumpers still fit! I had to get another new one for Liv this year, but I’m hoping it will be fine again for next year… although at this rate, she will be taller than me next Christmas! :/
Such lovel pictures and well done on sorting the service video out, always fab to learn new skills! Hope you had a lovely Christmas and New Year! Sim x
Thank you, it’s been an interesting experience getting to grips with the video editing but it’s good to learn new things.