Reasons To Be Cheerful

It’s so easy to get really caught up in daily struggles, things we’re missing out on and how difficult things are.  As you know, I have agoraphobia and it can make my life really tricky.  I miss a lot of stuff.  My anxiety can be so consuming that sometimes it’s hard just to breathe.  The thing is, I’m really lucky.  I have a lot of reasons to be cheerful.

My Children

My oldest child and his girlfriend come over for dinner on a weekly basis.  He’s 19 and, although he drives me crazy and he knows exactly how to wind me up, I’m extremely proud of him (he’s a River Cottage qualified chef, don’t you know!).

Last week, after dinner, we were all sat around after dinner playing a card game and I was consumed with gratitude.  I often get this feeling.  I’m so lucky for my lot.  I have incredible children.  Yes, I’m biased, but I’ve raised some lovely, charming and well-balanced people.

Our 14-year-old (who I didn’t give birth to but I count her as mine because she’s lived with us since she was 8) is passionate and fiery and strong and clever and loving.  Drama surrounds her and she does everything at a million miles an hour but I adore her.

Wayne’s daughter is 12 and we only get to see her every other weekend but she’s very much loved.  She’s clever, artistic and compassionate.  I love how strong minded she is, she won’t be influenced by others and isn’t afraid to stand out from the crowd.  She’s a great little blogger too, you may have seen her JJ Anime posts.

Our 11-year-old is so much like me.  A mini-me copy.  People often say how much she looks like me.  She’s extremely animated (highly strung!) and has a very strong sense of what’s wrong and right.  I feel like she’s going to be a great ambassador in her adult years.

Our youngest is 10.  He’s extremely bright but lacks common sense.   He has a brilliant sense of humour and is incredibly laid back.  Very little bothers him.  He’s my youngest and was born with Pulmonary Valve Stenosis so I’m quite overprotective of him.

MrLovely

This man.  He drives me crazy.  Batsh*t crazy.  He’s stubborn, grumpy and bloody-minded.

He’s an amazing father and a very important part of my life.  He allows me to be myself and never judges me.  Thankfully, he ignores my complete lack of boundaries (doesn’t even blink an eye at the face I never close the bathroom door) and my irrational expectations.

He and I have created the very thing that gives me such a feeling of pride and gratitude.

My Mummy-kins

My mum won’t thank me for plastering a photo of her on the internet.  She does not like having her photo taken.  I was at the front of the queue when mothers were being handed out.  Thank God for mine.  She’s the best.  The perfect balance of loving, kind and fun.

I adore the time we spend together.  We spend hours laughing so much we cry.  We’re very similar and I’m thankful for her every day.

My Bestie

I talk about her all the time.  My best friend is awesome.  She lives two doors away and our families are like the Waltons.  We do Sunday dinners together and are frequently in and out of each other’s houses, as are our children.  Our daughters are best friends too.  They’re very cute.

I have a very small amount of close friends and, whilst I don’t see them as often as I’d like, they’re very important to me and we’re absolutely there for each other when times are tough.

Two of my favourite people live on the other side of the World, yet thanks to the internet, I speak to them frequently.  The internet is incredible for helping people stay in touch.

The Gump

My doodle, Bubba Gump.  She’s the best little pickle in the Whole Wide World.  There has never before been such an amazing dog as my little labradoodle.  She’s a qualified assistance dog now and has saved my life several times.  I blooming love her!

I have so many things to be thankful for and I truly am thankful.  There are so many more things I could list but I’m afraid this post would go on forever.  I hope you too have lots of reasons to be cheerful.

Thanks for reading.