I decided to take up the #savouringjanuary2017 challenge mainly because of how difficult the end of 2016 had been. Through October and November I stayed in hospital twice with a very poorly T, our 14 month old foster baby. During that time we also had illnesses, a lot of social worker visits, appointments, and then of course the sudden loss of Dan on November 24th. This was closely followed by T’s first birthday, Toby’s 7th birthday, Dan’s funeral and then Christmas. My mind was in an emotional fog and the thought of starting a new year with lots of uncertainties and challenges still to come seemed exhausting and unwelcome. I saw the challenge on a friend’s Instagram and thought I’d try it just to help look for positive things each day. It has been a good exercise to do, and on some days really has felt a challenge! January has also been full of grief, confusion, illness, frustrations, and difficult decisions. But it has proved really helpful to have that daily prompt to look for the good in each day. I know I am very blessed with my family, friends, and faith in a God who loves me and has a plan bigger than I can see or understand. This year is going to bring new experiences-some I’m looking forward to, some I’m nervous about, and of course there is always the chance that there will be the ones that come out of the blue and turn my world upside down. But in all of that, I want to keep savouring my days, keep looking for the blessings, and keep reminding myself to hope in something bigger and better than what I see around me.