One of the things that life with Jessica taught me is to cherish the little moments. We were always aware that our time with her could be short and tried to enjoy that time as much as we could. On the whole, I think we succeeded. I have so many beautiful memories to look back on. Her death also taught me that life can change suddenly and unexpectedly, that tomorrow is never promised and to make the most of today. To hold my children close, let them know how very loved they are and to treasure the time I have with them.
This week has brought another reminder of the importance of cherishing moments with loved ones. On Monday, hubby and I went to the funeral of a beautiful and brave lady who had been one of my best friends at secondary school. She’d lost her only child, her three-year-old daughter, suddenly and unexpectedly four years ago from undiagnosed epilepsy. Six weeks later, my friend was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. She and her husband have been incredibly strong and brave. Every time I saw her, she had a smile on her face. She really was the most wonderful person and it was an honour to have been her friend. My thoughts are very much with her husband and her family.
Things that have made me smile this week
- Taking up Fiona from Coombe Mill’s kind offer of a stay there and booking our stay for Christmas. I am hoping that doing something different will help make this first Christmas without Jessica a little easier to bear.
- Thomas managing to stay awake through some of Tiny Talk for the first time.
- An afternoon sorting out the garden and managing to weed Jessica’s garden for the first time since Thomas arrived.
- Catching up with my family.
- Having Thomas snuggled up and napping in the sling.
- Going for an autumn walk after school.
I’m sorry to hear about your friend passing away, she sounds like she was an amazing lady. We all need a little reminding about cherishing what we have while we have it. I love the way Thomas is looking at Sophie in that photo, he certainly loves his sister. Beautiful photo’s this week Louise x
Thank you Angela, she was an amazing lady. I love the way Thomas looks at Sophie – so lovely to see that bond between them x
Oh no! I am so sorry about your friend. How awful.
Aww! That is wonderful that you are going to Coombe Mill! It looks magical there at any time of year but especially at Christmas.
Thank you Kim. I think it will be a good place for us to spend Christmas at.
So sorry for your loss. Your friend sounds so brave and courageous. Tragedies like these do make us want to cherish our moments and what we have that bit more, it’s so easy to get lost in the every day instead of being present for it and enjoying it. Love that Thomas managed to stay awake through some of his class. I remember Little Man napped or fed through every baby yoga and baby massage class we went to! Thanks for sharing with #WotW x
Thank you Jocelyn. It does make me realise how important it is to be present and enjoy family time together x
I’m so sorry for your loss . Always cruel. I hope her family are doing as well as can be expected.It does make you want to hug the ones you love that little bit more. I always love your list of things that made you smile and feel gratitude. Can’t help smiling at Thomas staying a wake during his Tiny Tot. Hope you have a good week. #wotw
Thank you Cheryl. Her husband has amazing support around him which I’m so glad about. It does make you hold those you love that little bit closer.
Oh I agree with you so much! I have witnessed friends and family remove themselves when someone close to them becomes unwell on a number of occasions, because they find it too much to handle. I do understand, but I just wish they would realise the importance of making the most of the time we do have together, even when it’s not easy or happy. That autumn walk looks lovely, the beautiful colours are just about to burst aren’t they? I think we’ll enjoy a similar walk this weekend 🙂 #WotW
I am so glad I was able to spend time with my friend over the last couple of years, that time was so precious. Hope you managed to get out for an autumn walk too.
So sorry for the loss of your friend. You and Jessica have both inspired me to cherish the little moments, they are what wonderful memories are made of.
Nat.x
Thank you Nat. Making those wonderful memories is so important x
I’m so sorry to hear about your friend, we certainly do need to cherish every moment. I think going to Coombe Mill for Christmas is a great idea, it sounds absolutely lovely there at Christmas time and I’m sure it will help being somewhere different. Plus Fiona is lovely, she’ll make you all really welcome. x
Thank you Anne. I think that trip away will help make Christmas a little easier x
Sorry to hear of the loss, I can’t imagine losing a child especially unexpectedly my heart goes,out to your friend. Your so right about cherishing the small things X #wotw
Thank you – it does make you realise how important those little moments can be x
I am sorry about your friend, you are right, we should make the most of all the little moments as well as the big ones xxx
Thank you Karen – it does make you appreciate how precious those moments are x
Sounds like a lovely week. I think its a good decision to go to Coombemill. You all need time to relax and it such a nice place to have just that. I know its still a wee bit far but I wish you will have a blast there.
#wotw
Thank you Merlinda. Hopefully it will make Christmas a little easier to get through.