Gransnetters share what lockdown has made them feel grateful for with McCarthy & Stone

I've felt very grateful for my dog. Not only good company but an incentive (and excuse) to leave the house and get some exercise during the stricter lockdown period.

I love gardening anyway, but having a garden to sit in with a glass of something and a book, or just pottering around doing some weeding or pruning has been a lifeline during lockdown, also the wonderful weather....had it rained it would have been awful.

Here's my gratitude list, I am grateful:

That despite being over 70, I am in good health.

For all the people who continued to work during the pandemic lockdown, including my daughter in the NHS, I am grateful to you.

For the flowers on our patio that have been spectacular this year, especially the salvia, lavender, foxgloves and penstemons.

For my friendly community that has kept in constant contact and neighbours that helped keep each other safe and entertained.

For the quiet so I could hear the increased birdsong.

I am grateful that we, and none of our family or friends, have been ill.

I am grateful to have a garden and, despite being in a city suburb, we have wide open countryside within a few minutes drive.

I am grateful for all the selfless people who are helping others at this awful time.

I would just like to thank my computer. We have become firm friends over th lockdown period . I have researched long lost relatives joined up with other family trees on Ancestry and read Gransnet daily . It also provides TV , radio , and zoom to chat to the family . Would hate a day without my best friend.

I am grateful for having a job and not losing my salary. My Garden for enabling me to read and relax.
I am also grateful for being in lockdown with my partner. I realise I enjoy his company.
My children and Grandchildren have remained healthy and that is priceless.

I’d like to say Thank You to my neighbours for asking for my help. Although they’re younger than me (I’m 76, they’re in their 50s and 60s), both have health issues and are self isolating. I’m fortunate. I’m reasonably fit and in good health and I've been able to help out with shopping, especially early on, when supermarket delivery slots were like hen’s teeth (!); also picking up prescriptions, posting birthday cards and gifts, that kind of thing. Being needed has really boosted my own mood. So often, the words frail, elderly and vulnerable are lumped together to describe older people. And it feels so good to be able to help others.
All in all, I’m grateful for my health, garden, friends and family who’ve kept in touch and kept me positive, often over the miles. Where would we be without the phone, WhatsApp, Zoom etc! And I’m grateful that I live by the coast, for walks on the beach, for peace and quiet, for books to read. Above all, I’m grateful for all the selfless people-key workers and volunteers alike-helping us all through these difficult days.
Needless to say, I’m looking forward above all to sharing more than virtual hugs with children and grandchildren. Not quite yet, but hopefully soon...

I’m grateful for the company of DH. We drive each other mad at times but he can be good company and LOVES having me at home.
I’m grateful for IT; the Zoom meetings and get togethers with widespread school friends from nearly 60 years . The Daily FaceTime with DS on lockdown in one country while his new wife is in another.
And so grateful to those people putting their lives at risk in the NHS and other vital services. ?

Mostly I am grateful for the nhs and all other key workers for their continuous work to keep society going.
For myself I am grateful for the WhatsApp groups I have with family, book group and walking netball group. Zoom meetings with WI, IPlayer and Netflix.
For my daughter and her family and my peace of mind the food boxes they've had from her local mosque and church.
For my other daughter and her husband that they have kept their jobs.
I'm so grateful for the sunny weather and to have a garden. Also to have not had the virus.

I'm grateful that the lockdown has given my daughter time. She had a baby in intensive care and she and her husband and baby at last had a time to really bond as a little family.

I am so grateful to have so far survived the pandemic. But more than that, I an so grateful to my two daughters, my granddaughter and my lovely friends for keeping in constant contact and being so supportive, kind and loving. I am also grateful how our community has really come together to help each other. I really hope that that community spirit remains. Lastly, I'm grateful to Gransnet for allowing a platform where I get "let off steam".

I am grateful that I have a garden. Also that my family live close by, so even though we couldn't get together, I was able to see them through the window.

There are so many people that I am grateful to for the support I have had over this difficult period as I have been dealing with bereavement as well as the isolation during lockdown.
I have always had a person on the end of the phone or messaging to check if I am OK they have all been wonderful to say the least.
I need to say thank you to my preferred Supermarket who has always managed to fit me in for a delivery slot and to the cheerful delivery driver who even asks if I have forgotten something and he will try and drop it off later so so kind.
I have started paying all my bills on line something I have not attempted to do before and will continue to do so when this is all over.
My PC is my best friend at the minute finding friends I knew as long ago as 30yrs we have stayed in touch weekly and will meet up in Liverpool in a couple of months for a stay over and mega catch up.
My ACs have been my most special go too people even though they have full time jobs and their own families they stay in contact sometimes 3/4 times a day.

I am grateful for my family and the internet to connect us and the garden which made the beautiful May weather a pleasure in spite of lockdown.

Grateful to be in a happy marriage. We have only have the odd spat over something trivial , so that's a relief. We haven't had much of a break from each other but no problem. Fingers crossed.

I am grateful for my lovely cat, and my daughter. Both keep me sane in these unusual times.

Having a lovely garden, my dear dog and the many miles of beautiful Epping Forest just ten minutes' walk away.

Friends, neighbours and my lovely daughter who has been Shopping for me and my son who keeps in touch. For my garden and my hens, they have been a lifesaver and my daughters dogs. And the community for offering help

Married 47 yrs with complete different interests but lockdown has shown us how together we really are, without being joined at the hip.How truely grateful we all should be to have our NHS.our friendly postman,supermarket delivery people and a sister who spoke daily keeping me in touch with the outer life beyond the garden gate.Flushed smiling faces of GCs cycling quite a distance for little legs,to see us from the garden.Healthy family and as yet still employed.

I am grateful for my continuing good health despite a few aches and pains which are trivial compared to many.

I am pleased to be able to spend my time enjoying hobbies such as gardening which is good for the soul, reading which hopefully enhances the brain cells and my sewing which has always been a source of pleasure. This came into play when I was able to help make facemasks and headbands for carers and nurses although the quantity wasn't huge compared to others' efforts. It is good to feel of use to others.

The slower pace of life is good for we retirees but I'm aware that for those in the front line it has been a terrible, tiring, and very worrying time. I take my hat off to them.

My partner for being there, my kindle & computer, a lifeline during these past weeks and most of all my garden, a distraction, a hobby, a work place and an oasis of peace when needed. I am of course so grateful and would like to thank all those in the NHS and other industries that worked tirelessly throughout this terrible time to help so many.

I have lived on the island of Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands for 15 years and when C19 arrived, the 'quarantine' ( as it is called) was very strict. We had to stay in for a whole month except to go to the nearest shop,doctor or hospital if needed.
When shopping, we still have to wear masks and gloves and at one point, we had our temperature taken before we were allowed in a shop.

I have been grateful to the local police, the 'Guardia Civile' and the health care staff who have kept things under control and to the village people around me who have followed the rules.

My best friend is my husband with whom I had many a discussion on the state of things both in the UK and around the world.

My second best friend is the internet which gave me a window on the outside world so that I could keep up with the news re the virus and it enabled me to have contact with friends and family in the UK. Without it, I would have felt very isolated.

I am very grateful for my wonderful dog and cat, our garden, but most of all to have such an amazing husband who is also my very best friend, he is really struggling with ill health and unable to have treatment at this time due to the virus, but he is so brave,and battles on in pain, i'm so proud to be his wife, 33 years now, hopefully many more to come.

I am very grateful to my lovely husband and family who looked after me and kept me safe and sane(ish) during this very frightening time,also my dear friends who have raised my spirits with chatty phone calls.l am really grateful to all the NHS staff and care workers,and so very pleased that we were lucky enough to not need their help.