#givejoyforjessica on 14 April in memory of a little girl with a special heart

On 14 April, it will be four years since Jessica died. It feels hard to believe that we have lived through four years without our beautiful girl. Jessica spread so much joy in her short life that her godmother once referred to her as a “joy carrier”. It was such a perfect description of our brave girl. She was so full of smiles, even when she was in hospital, and she made so many other people. Her strength and her joy continues to inspire us.

 

A very smile Jessica sitting on a theatre trolley about to go for her last heart surgery

 

 

While this time of year is a very difficult one for us and we do ensure we honour our grief and make space for it, we also try to focus on that joy that Jessica gave to us and others in her life. Over the last three years, we have focused on that joy on the anniversary of Jessica’s death. We have chosen to honour our beautiful girl’s life by making this a day of giving joy to others – to #givejoyforjessica.

 

A smiley Jessica outdoors on a walk

 

It would be lovely to see other people joining in and spreading some joy in memory of a little girl whose half a heart overflowed with love. Here are some suggestions of ways in which you can join in and #givejoyofrjessica.

 

  • Share a funny joke online.
  • Send someone flowers.
  • Donate to your local food bank.
  • Phone a friend that you haven’t spoken to for a while.
  • Make a donation to a charity close to your heart or sponsor a friend who is fundraising.
  • Paint some rocks and leave them for people to find.
  • Bake cakes or biscuits to give to someone else.

 

Jessica aged 3 with her hands in the mixing bowl rubbing butter into flour

 

  • Take the time to say thank you to someone for something they have done.
  • Share something you love – a favourite book, a recipe or something you’ve made.
  • Take time to really listen to someone.
  • Take a moment to help someone in need.
  • Share three things you are thankful for.
  • Get creative and make something for a friend or a family member.
  • Leave a surprise note for someone.

 

I hope that you can join me in spreading a little joy on 14 April. If you’re sharing via social media, please feel free to use the hashtag #givejoyforjessica so I can see your posts. If you have any other ideas for ways to share joy, please share them in the comments below.

 

A smiley Jessica in the playroom on the children's cardiac ward

 

loopyloulaura

16 thoughts on “#givejoyforjessica on 14 April in memory of a little girl with a special heart

  1. I think of Jessica all of the time, especially when it comes to anything heart related with my girls. Jessica really was a special girl and touched so many lives. I will be doing something in her memory on the 14th. x

  2. Sending hugs to you all Louise. This is such a lovely way to remember Jessica. We were out on the beach on the 14th, and quietly remembered Jessica and her beautiful smile while skimming stones in the sea at sunset. Thank you for joining us for the #DreamTeam xx

    1. Thank you Annette, it was lovely to know that you remembered Jessica while skimming stones in the sea at sunset. That sounds like a beautiful moment on the beach.

  3. I can’t believe it had been fouryears. Her smile still makes me smile back. and it would be lovely to spread that joy in her memory. Thanks for linking up with #DreamTeam

  4. I’ve just come across your blog and wanted to send my love to you and your family. Your Jessica looks so beautiful in happy in your pictures. I lost my 3 year old daughter Amy very suddenly in January and I am finding it so very hard. You manage to articulate your grief so well and your writing gives me some hope, so I wanted to share this with you. With love x

    1. Thank you so much Laura. I’m so sorry that you also lost your daughter Amy. Learning to live with grief is so very hard and the early months are so very raw. I’m glad that my blog has been helpful and has given you some hope. Much love to you and your family x

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