I am so lucky

surfingsal I am a longtime GN member, but, like you, I have been very fortunate in life with a large loving family and no falling outs, and the one thing GN has opened up to me is how difficult so many people's lives are, through no fault of their own and the enormity of the problems they face.

Like you we have faced premature death in the family and DD has twice had long lasting medical problems, where her survival could not be guaranteed, but over all I have lived a fortunate and privileged life and there is nothing like being on GN to realise this.

Ditto for me. I didn’t have a particularly happy childhood but as an adult my life has been very happy and I also have a large and happy family, ever growing.

I too am blessed, my DH, DD, SIL and DS1's daughter are all in the lounge watching Muppet's Christmas Carol.😍

My health is very poor and forty seven years ago, newly married, I was in ICU and DH had been told that I probably wouldn't make it and if I did, I would never have children.. Here I am, defying all the odds.

Oh how I envy you Surfingsal. Up until I was 42 my life was wonderful. After then, due to bad choices, my life is not how I would like it to be. We have to cope with the hand we are dealt with though, so I plod on. Perhaps I will win the lottery tonight.

What a timely reminder to be grateful - a rather unfashionable emotion but important. Like many of us, life has on the whole been much kinder to me than I might have expected, and while I navigate living without the love of my life I am so glad he was at the centre of it for so long.

I’ve had quite a difficult life until about 15 years ago when life seemed to calm down and I became much happier inside. It’s helped me to support my children through their own difficulties mainly with relationships and illness. My DH and I have a good relationship, caring and supporting each other (although we have had our troubles in the past). My children not only help and support us but help each other as well.

My grandchildren are for the most part lovely human beings. We all of course have our moments and occasionally agree to disagree.

I am now fortunate that we have all worked together to make a now united family in thought but not in distance.

As I said in a different post, I feel blessed - and lucky as well. BTW, I’m an atheist.

It is indeed a time to be grateful.
Grateful if one is blessed with a happy extended family, no health or estrangement issues, a loving DH and an easy life.
It is also time to be grateful for coping with or surviving any of the above or other sad situations which we read about on GN.

It’s not the hand you are dealt, but how you play the cards.

Exactly, Maw.

I too am grateful for what I have. A strong family network and three fabulous grandchildren. A DH who supports me at all times.
Growing up was difficult - a mixed race child in an all white environment, and I was perpetually nervous and anxious, but I have got past all that in my seventies.

You know only too well Marydoll

I am always impressed by the resilience and courage shown by posters on GN.. and by the kindness and support given by members of GN.. It is definitely a bonus in our lives..

After being more or less absent from the forum for a while, I was so glad to receive all your condolences and good wishes when my daughter, Lynne, died a month ago. I hadn`t expected everyone to be so warm after me being away so long, but it was lovely. Thank you all, TOYA

Your strength and resilience in the face of such sadness in your family has warmed all our hearts Hellogirl

We are indeed blessed.

Married over 60 years, happy and healthy, able to travel, 4 lovely daughters, many GC and GGC. My wonderful brother is still alive.

I am also very grateful for my life . A lovely supportive husband , 2 wonderful AC with whom we have a close relationship. My lovely mum 89 is still alive . And I have a close relationship with my siblings.
I have a few friends who’ve had an awful year with poor health and family issues, which has made me very thankful and blessed .
Obviously I’m aware life can send me a curveball and I’m continually amazed at the resilience of those on here who have suffered such sadness . 🙏

Awww! Bless your Mum with all her daffodil bulbs, it did make me smile.
Good for her though, for ordering online at 95 years old.
She must be sharp as a tack 😊

We also count our blessings. Has been a difficult year for many reasons but we are lucky to have the love of three of our daughters and SiLs as well as gorgeous GCs.
Are estranged from our eldest daughter and GCs, is 11 years now, however, we know she has a career and two lovely teenage daughters, and is getting on with her life, so it is what it is. We also have a life to get on with and are grateful that for the love of those around us who have made that possible.
❤️❤️🙏🏾🙏🏾

Surfingsal, I did get a laugh about the daffodils! I feel blessed as well. I have children and their spouses I get along with, some live close, and some far, but I can afford to visit those more distant a few times a year. I am also grateful for today's technology, allowing us to reach out to relatives living distant from us.

For those suffering estrangements and serious health issues, I wish you all the best.

RosiesMaw2

It is indeed a time to be grateful.
Grateful if one is blessed with a happy extended family, no health or estrangement issues, a loving DH and an easy life.
It is also time to be grateful for coping with or surviving any of the above or other sad situations which we read about on GN.

It’s not the hand you are dealt, but how you play the cards.

Well said Maw.
We are, as a family, coping with the anxiety of incurable cancer within our little family. Yet we have reason to be grateful. The expertise from The Christie and the good response to treatment thus far means this has been a better year than last. Living with cancer in a home is hard.

I’m very grateful for what i have but am mindful ‘life can change in the blink of an eye’. I am not complacent and take each day as it comes.

We have to be mindful of others whose lives are not so comfortable, happy or content. Please avoid smug and self satisfied remarks .
Life has a habit of coming along and kicking you up the bottom.

Gingster

I’m very grateful for what i have but am mindful ‘life can change in the blink of an eye’. I am not complacent and take each day as it comes.

We have to be mindful of others whose lives are not so comfortable, happy or content. Please avoid smug and self satisfied remarks .
Life has a habit of coming along and kicking you up the bottom.

Well said, Gingster!

Easily said when you haven't experienced the same cards

Very true Tigerpaws.

They say life is what you make it but I am well aware that isn’t always the case. I actually didn’t notice any smug or self satisfied comments, only gratitude.