Everyone here can talk about Elspeth now. We remember her with fondness, smile and laugh at things she once said or did. She is mentioned now more than she has been in a long time, and it is so much more relaxed than it used to be.
It would have been Elspeth's 19th birthday on Sunday, so when we were able to all get together, (except for our 19yo at Uni) we went out to eat. It was a lovely relaxed evening, the food was good, but the company was fantastic. There really is no greater joy for myself and my partner than to watch our children laughing and joking together - like any normal family. There were lots of smiles.
We remembered Elspeth's birthday with our annual Double-Cake Day. It's exactly what she would have wanted.
Thank you to everyone who shared smiles with us using the #TBCSmiles hashtag - it's been fantastic seeing them all and peeping into some precious moments with you. They are all amazing and looking through them really is the best job.
I said I'd start to share my favourite smiles from the past month, and I couldn't be more astounded because there were hundreds. I was going to pick a handful, but I struggled because there were so many cheesy grins, beaming faces and sparkling eyes. Here are 16 of our favourites...
Click on the photo to enlarge it, and you can follow the Instagrammers using the links below...
Top to bottom, left to right...
JMCGlynn / Porridgeandparenting / Goingonanadventure / Life_With_the_monster
Wemadethislife / Topsyturvytribe / mumtoamonster (first camera smile) / mymummyspam (in panto from this week!)
Letstalkmommy / Anklebitersadventures / Louhegarty / TheCheshireWife
Hayleychall / Louhegarty / Mummy_fox / mummahub
Special mention to Mymummyspennies for the quote which goes with this image of her daughter...
“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
The smiles are why we keep going. Every single one is a treasure. They are the proof we can do it, and the proof that it's worth it. These are mine....
Please let me know if you shared the #tbcsmiles hashtag accidentally and don't want your smile shared publicly, and I'll take them down for you.
Lots of wonderful smiles this month from you all! That cake looks amazing! Sending you all lots of love xxxx
ReplyDeleteLots of lovely smiles, and I agree, that cake looks and sounds fab xx
ReplyDeleteLovely post again Jenny. So pleased you were able to get the family together and celebrate too - I should imagine it's quite difficult to pin all those people down at once! Will be thinking of Elspeth on Sunday xx
ReplyDeleteIt is such a long time, it doesn't really seem it from the outside but I imagine it feels different within your family. It's great to hear to hear that that everyone is more comfortable talking and fondly remembering her now and this post does seem positive. Wonderful that most of you were able to get together to celebrate Elspeth's birthday and double cake day sounds epic. Wonderful, joyful smiles and thank you for including mine, I think that quote is an important one to remember sometimes. Sending you much love as always xx
ReplyDeleteOh this is a lovely post packed full of smiles and memories. Love the double cake day and so nice that you can all have fun, laughs but still remember the wonderful Elspeth!
ReplyDeleteI love seeing your smiles each month. The 15th seems to come round so quickly and I can hardly believe that 2.5 years have gone by. Double Cake Day is the best way to celebrate and remember <3 x
ReplyDeleteDouble cake day sounds like a fantastic tradition. I'll make sure to join in next month x
ReplyDelete2 years seem to have flashed by, but I'm sure not so much for you. Was lovely to hear you managed a happy family meal out though, and cake is always good! I'm a bit rubbish at remembering the hashtag sorry but I do always think of you when posting my girls' smiles x
ReplyDeleteI think it's brilliant that you can think of Elspeth this way now, it's how it's meant to be, she would be so proud of you all I'm sure. I love all the smiles, fantastic. Much love to you all, may the sadness in your hearts never show in your beautiful smiles xx
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