Welcome to our blog - we are the Bessette family: Jackie, Shannon and Oliver! An extraordinary life is created from all of the ordinary moments....and here in our little corner of the internet you can follow our extraordinarily ordinary!
While journeying as a pilgrim of hope, you have to turn the desire for change or a specific future into taking action. And those actions have to start with a foundation built on truths- that are both acquired and stil being taught. Today I am sharing a few of my own. When it comes to … More Lessons on the Journey
October, fourth quarter, it is the last call for 2025. Standing in this moment right now feels like a true journey has taken place. Often the sentiment around this time of year is, how did that happen? Where did the year go? To me time will always be elusive- It will always surprise me, It … More Pilgrims of Hope
The soundtrack from Greatest Showman has spoken deeply to me over the years. The idea of choosing the hard…. imaging what is possible… seeking and striving for your dreams, even if they don’t match anyone else’s or what others think is possible. I thought these messages were my purpose. I believed if I could keep … More Live Little
And just like that the 2025-2026 school year started and Shannon is in Kindergarten baby( bonus points if you know that reference🙃)! In many ways that feeling “how did that happen?” is present. And yet I am also finding myself very much enjoying this season and grateful it’s arrived. A summary on motherhood for me: … More Welcome Kindergarten!
And today the fog lifted and I recognized the truth: I am in pain and grief and struggle because right now it looks like all we have is what we had and there won’t be anymore new. Since our ICU experience my body has felt as if it is being chased by a saber tooth … More July 17, 2025
Tuesday June 10 Danny woke up in ICU when he had gone to sleep in his regular hospital room. The conversation moved fast and the need for “decisions to be made” being repeated often. A bad infection had take hold and based on the lack of response to antibiotics in recent treatments, the medical team … More The Gift of Time
Of What are your dreams made of? Experiences? Blessings? Belongings? Milestones? Achievements? Truly: when you consider dreams coming true what comes to mind? This question has come up recently for me and my own personal answer has been surprising: how it feels. In my life’s journey there have been an incredible mix of all those … More What Dreams are Made
Today the Catholic Church received a new Pope. He is the first American Pope. He is the fourth Pope of my lifetime and a first in Shannon’s. Pope Leo XIV, welcome and we pray for you. This feels so signifiant and I have a lot of reasons that are pulling at my heart as to … More He has Chosen
Battles wounds are cool. The scars I have gotten from having to live in two worlds – sickness and regular life- are the ones I feel proud of. The stories they tell, the lessons they gave, and the pride they swell up in my heart are the type of thing I like to share on … More It’s the Scars That Save Us
It was one my lifelong best friend’s bachelorette weekend in charming Charleston with a variety of ladies from different walks of life that all gathered to celebrate our girl. She is one of those genuinely good people who you are so blessed to know and has the incredible ability to make you feel loved beyond … More You Can Eat Ice Cream for Lunch if You Want
Have A Little Faith in We 