Would you like to join a kindness and gratitude thread?

After having him here for 30 years we have finally started having a Thanksgiving Dinner for my American son in law. Watching people sitting round round a table talking about being thankful had always seemed a bit odd and un British, but since we've started doing it I've realised how good it feels to stop and think about the things you really do feel thankful for.

A very long time ago I was walking home from the shops and I was struggling with my two old who was having an epic tantrum. A woman stopped her car and asked if I wanted a lift. I was too embarrassed to say yes but I really appreciated the gesture.

Recently, I was gingerly going down the steps of a railway footbridge when a boy in school uniform asked if I were OK and did I need any help. I am so used to being ignored that I was genuinely touched and I said "No thank you, I'm OK but thank you for asking."

I am grateful that I live near a park and I love seeing children playing and dogs running freely.

What a lovely and inspiring thread Applegran. I hope it stays the course over time to become one of GN’s favourites, such as the Good Morning thread, Soop’s kitchen, Lobstars etc.

A few weeks ago I was heading to St Andrews when my exhaust parted company with the car but got stuck underneath the body. I was really worried because the road was busy and I didn't know how I would remove it. I had been aware of a van overtaking me then going the opposite way. All of a sudden it stopped behind me, hazard lights on. The driver got out and brought a hammer to hammer it free. He said that he had passed me but couldn't leave me stuck, so returned to help. I will be always grateful to him. So kind

I’m extremely grateful to Sir John Charnley who did the first total hip replacement operation. I’ve just had mine and it’s wonderful to walk without pain. I’m also very grateful for the friends who’ve helped me during my recovery and brought me soup, lasagne and fish pie etc.

I had a new front door put in this spring- it has more glass than my previous one.

This morning as I looked out my kitchen window the sun was just rising. What a wonderful moment!

I then went into my lounge and wondered where the illuminated light effects on my wall were coming from and I figured it was from the extra light in my door. I even photographed the light effect (it looked like a pair of golden daggers) to remind me of the marvel. Realising then that the light was coming through my curtain I saw that the sunrise was reflected on a neighbours' window and was being beamed straight onto my living room wall!
I know this all sounds bonkers but I really was quite transfixed by it!

I went to a concert in St Davids cathedral on my own. I had done this on may occasions in the summer but this was autumn and I had not factored in that I would need to walk to the car park afterwards in the dark where there is no street lighting.
I walk with a stick and had no torch or phone so was struggling dreadfully in the pitch dark. A woman going by saw me in her headlights, drove up the road and turned round and came to pick me up and the me to my car.
A lovely kind lady.

Take

St David’s cathedral is in a magnificent setting, it quite took my breath away when we stayed at St David’s last year. I remember the steep steps, which I hope you don’t need to navigate Luckygirl.

I am inspired and grateful for these posts about kindness and what it means to us.

To all the friends and relative who sent me some lovely birthday messages - some I have know 50 years and more - thank you. To my miserable relative who always says they are too busy to make contact even when I have not contacted them. - don't bother!

Am grateful for every day my DH continues to fight against ill health and for the kindness of neighbours who have watered our garden, done shopping, and just been there. Also the support of good friends on GN.
🌹🙏🏾

I had an extremely friendly robin in my last garden. The week before I moved, it was very upsetting to find my robin dead in a bucket half filled with rainwater which I hadn't noticed before. Last month, in my new home, a robin has started to follow me which has given me such joy.

I went into town one day by bus, and after shopping I walked back to the bus stance to get the bus back home, there were so many buses going in and one blocked my view. a young man came up to me, took my arm and led me safely around the bus , watching the road all the time. his mother would have been proud of him.

I'm grateful that I feel OK today and some of my late blooming Gladioli are welcoming me in the October sunshine .
They are cream with orange centres and they look edible as if they were made from white chocolate with apricots in their centres .

They sound lovely Esmay.

My white gladioli did not flower at all just sent up loads of green pointy leaves. Not that I am complaining, everything else on my allotment did really well this year. Lots of fruit and vegetables and some brilliant sunflowers.

My apple tree is bowed down with fruit this year and I just met another gran in the lane, complete with small grandchildren, and we walked together till we got to my gate. I invited them in and the little girl picked apples to take home to Mummy. Such a delightful unexpected encounter - I'm grateful for it.

I love trees. They take nothing. They are quiet, upright, life giving and deepky rooted. Honestly, trees give me such joy!

I said to my husband yesterday how much I love trees Franski.

I am grateful that after a couple of months of ill health I feel so much better and very grateful for my DH for his care looking after me.

What a lovely thread. Today I drove to my old home town, Torquay, where I was raised. It was a nostalgia trip as today would have been my 67th wedding anniversary if our marriage had survived. I'm grateful that we stayed on civil terms afterwards and shared our lovely children and grandchildren. There's so much to be grateful for, even in difficult times. And this is still a beautiful world in many ways.

I agree! I just had my second hip surgery yesterday after a fall and it's going well. It's also my 25th joint replacement /fusion surgery due to rheumatoid disease which struck aged 26 and I'm so very grateful to all the dedicated amazing nhs staff who work tirelessly and cheerfully at ground level for not much money thank you all!

I am grateful that my little granddaughter has, this week, successfully come through an op for a burst appendix. She was so ill but thanks to the care she has received she is making a good recovery. The weather has been so lovely today and we could all enjoy it knowing that all will be well.

I had an unexpected visit from my son who lives a two and a half hour drive away. He checked before he started out that I was at home. We had a lovely day together and he brought me some cooking apples from his tree. I have made an apple crumble today which was delicious.
I live alone now and it was so nice to have some company.

I had to call in our pharmacy (thankfully just below us) this afternoon for repeat meds for Himself. We are all on first name terms now. “You okay S…..?” asked the pharmacist. I nodded. And then promptly burst into tears. Kindness these days just undoes me completely. I’m so emotional today I’m crying as I do this. She asked me if I’d like a hug? Honestly that warm hug was So Good to receive. Much needed today. She said “go for a little walk in the square in the sunshine. It’ll do you good. Deep breaths. D…… will be fine,”. Such small acts of kindness mean such a lot some days when you’re anxious and running on empty don’t they?

Thank you for this thread Applegran. I have such gratitude in my heart for all that we’ve been given since this cancer diagnosis. Life is so precious. x