100 Days

A friend told me today of a new challenge that’s making its way around the globe, called “100 days of gratitude”. Apparently people go onto this website, register for the challenge and then send e-mails of pictures they take every single day for 100 days in a row to the e-mail address provided to them. What was shocking to me was that there is a 71% fail rate amongst those who register for the challenge.

It may sound silly, but it reminded me of the ‘gratitude journals’ people kept. So I thought I’d give it a shot. Without websites and registrations and e-mails. Just one picture or a little blurb about something positive every day for 100 days.

Day 1:

I took pictures of my daughter’s nursery today. Towards the end of my pregnancy we were in such financial trouble that we barely had enough money to eat, never mind buy furniture. The nursery was bare and the only thing I could afford to do was paint it pink with paint I already owned. The rocking chair on the right hand side of the picture above is the first piece of furniture I got for my daughter’s room.

We were so poor, the local church asked for donations for the baby and that rocking chair is what the parishioners got me with the money gathered. I’d sit there every afternoon for half an hour and read to Dot and dream of what it might be like to be her mother one day. Of course the reality of being someone’s mother is very different from any kind of dream! So today I’m thankful for my job that has given me the financial means to provide for my child and put food on our family’s table. I’m also thankful for our friends who have stuck by our little family through endless storms and have silently offered their support and love.

Hm! That wasn’t exactly the light first post I intended it to be..!

I hope this finds everyone well!

Zoe