Jill’s Story – Grateful for the Small Things

Hi, my name is Jill, and I feel very grateful and blessed to have found this app.

I have gone through many dark times in my life. I’ve suffered from major depression and anxiety since I was a teenager, navigating years of ups and downs. I was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness, but I left at the age of twenty because I no longer agreed with many of their ideas and views. That decision cost me dearly—my own parents disowned me, and I’ve never been close with my older brother and sister either.

At twenty-two, I got married, and at twenty-four, I had a beautiful son, Austin Daniel. He was my life. For five years, I was happily married, until one night changed everything. My husband, Dan, went to his brother’s house for a football party. A fight broke out, and his brother assaulted him, leaving Dan with a permanent traumatic brain injury (TBI). He lost the ability to use his legs, was robbed of his mobility for life, and was placed in a nursing home permanently.

I remained married to him until his untimely passing last year, at the age of fifty-eight, because I always loved him. He was the nicest, funniest, most caring man I’ve ever known. 🩷

After his tragic assault, both my son and I lost faith in God. I carried so much hatred and bitterness in my heart toward my brother-in-law—as you can imagine. But over time, I learned to let go and place it in God’s hands. As the Bible says, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”

Slowly, I’ve regained my faith. Through prayer, reading the Bible, and occasionally going to church, my relationship with God has begun to heal. My son, Austin, is rebuilding his faith too. He has faced his own struggles with depression, anxiety, and drug addiction, but today he is making progress. He is also recently engaged, and I am so very happy for him.

I began using the Gratitude app just three months ago, and it has already made a meaningful difference in my outlook on life. It’s helped me realize that even appreciating the small things can bring happiness. And for that, I am truly grateful.