As another year draws to a close, there is a lot to be thankful for. We have a gorgeous family, lovely friends and our health. We have food and shelter and love. We have lots of people who share our story every day. And we’re lucky enough to share theirs too.

As I dropped Bubba off this morning and breathed in her scent, I thought briefly of those parents who dropped their children to school (was that really only a couple of weeks ago?) never to hold their babies again, and I thought of people whose lives are torn apart by civil unrest, war and famine every day. They loved their children no less than I love my Bubba.

And I made this promise to myself (again):

I will never, ever take for granted the incredible privilege it is to be a mumma. To be my Bubba’s mumma. I will try to be in the moment with her as often as I can.

One of those moments happened yesterday. We were in the market and she was riding in the cart and in the middle of an aisle she put her arms up to me. Cuggle mumma? So I leaned down right there and gave her a cuddle. It was longer than her usual cuddles but I didn’t hurry her to stop. Instead I thought about what an insanely lucky mumma I am. And I hoped that the other shoppers who had to either wait or scoot around us in that 20 seconds realised what a lucky mumma I was too.

Something else I will never take for granted is the unconditional love Bella and Beary give me and Bubba. And how amazing it is that they chose me to be their forever family. I will continue to give voice to the voiceless, to help where I can. And to not eat their friends!

Oh, and I’m open to the love of my life wandering in soon too – just in case the Universe happens to be reading my blog today. It’s time!

Thank you to all of you for visiting, commenting and sharing your stories. The four of us wish you and your furry and non-furry families a wonderful, happy and safe 2013 filled with love and laughter.

{ps: yay, I have successfully completed Blog-A-Day 2012!)