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

(287 Posts)
YanaGransnet (GNHQ) Wed 01-Jul-20 17:46:35

The last few months have put us all to test - from learning how to create a tasty meal with only what we have in the fridge, to finding new ways to stay connected with our loved ones while apart. But these challenging times made us appreciate more the little things in life such as a stranger’s kindness or your neighbour’s cake.
With that in mind, McCarthy & Stone would like to find out more about what lockdown has made you feel grateful for and who would you like to say a ‘Thank you’ to.

Here’s what they have to say: “A McCarthy & Stone apartment gives you much more than a lovely home. It gives you access to a vibrant, caring and supportive community of friends and neighbours. And as recent events have shown, nothing is more important.

We couldn’t be prouder of the way our homeowners have stepped up to support each other during this challenging period. The already strong community spirit has flourished. Despite the restrictions, we’ve seen our homeowners adapt to new ways of socialising, with everything from exercise classes to gin nights — as well as innovative ways to celebrate things like anniversaries, birthdays and VE day.

Meanwhile 400 of our staff volunteered to help with shopping and other essentials in our Buddy scheme. And nationally, we’ve entertained homeowners with free virtual talks; a school penpal programme; exercise ideas from the Gym Group, a poetry competition and more. As a result we’ve been inundated with moving messages of thanks.”

So we are asking you, what are the little things that made lockdown more bearable for you and your family? What are you most looking forward to after lockdown is lifted? What are the new things you’ve learnt about yourself and others? How have you kept positive and what role does your circle of family and friends play in it? If you need to call out one thing or person that you are especially thankful for during lockdown, what or who would that be?

Whatever you feel grateful for or just want to say a ‘Thank you’ to something or someone who’s made lockdown more bearable for you, share your stories on the thread below. All GN users who post sharing their experience will be entered into a prize draw where one GNer will win a £200 voucher for a store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!
GNHQ

Rozzy Wed 08-Jul-20 17:18:11

So grateful for the precious gift of having my daughter & granddaughter here from South Africa. They arrived just before lockdown and have been here ever since. It's hard for her husband & I know she wants to be back there but we have had lovely precious moments together which won't happen again as my husband is unable to travel....

MichD Wed 08-Jul-20 16:32:35

I am very grateful to have my husband, my son and our lovely dog as they have been so much comfort to me. It's been lovely being at home together all day everyday. I'm also grateful to my work colleagues as we set up a Whatsapp group and kept in touch with each other whilst our work has been closed. We've given each other support and shared our ups and downs and that has been really nice too. I'm also thankful to have good friends and a supportive family.

Direne3 Wed 08-Jul-20 16:31:35

Grateful for;
Hugs from husband.
Regular contact with daughters and family (near and far).
Amazing support from NHS staff for my husband's medical condition.
A garden (when many others don't have the benefit of).
Recent relaxation of rules which mean that we can once again take walks in the countryside (shopping I don't miss all that much).

Grannyjacq1 Wed 08-Jul-20 15:40:05

I am so grateful to have a loving husband and family who all support each other. To have friends who phone to make sure I'm ok, and neighbours likewise. To have a comfortable house, a garden, and beautiful places to walk to without having to get in a car. To have happy memories to reflect on when I do feel a bit down. To have good health generally and to be physically active. To live in a country where we have a superb NHS (yes, it has its faults, but compared to many countries it's brilliant) with dedicated staff ... I could go on. I feel very fortunate to have all these, and more. And after lockdown .... let's hope that we can make the world a kinder and more caring place.

libra10 Wed 08-Jul-20 15:31:44

The little things which have made lockdown more bearable are that our health remains good, and although concerned about COVID-19, so far no-one I know has been affected.

I've learned several new recipes, have been grateful when a neighbour gave me a small supply of items I had been looking out for, and grateful to my husband who has grown a lovely supply of strawberries and lettuce. We're waiting for the tomatoes, runner beans, onions and other veg to ripen and become ready to pick.

I'm usually quite a positive person, and although friends and family have been unable to visit, we've kept contact through phone calls, texts and social media.

Lockdown hasn't been too bad, but I'm ready to hit the local garden centres and a few shops.

Thecatshatontgemat Wed 08-Jul-20 15:30:53

I am deeply grateful that l live alone, so don't have to poke up with someone whining all the time and getting on my nerves.
I am also grateful that l am healthy, all my friends, neighbours and work colleagues are healthy too.
The peace when it all kicked off was blissful, but all too short lived. I found l hated and resented all the cars and noise as it started up again.
As time went on, l was looking forward to getting back to work, and seeing my friends once more.
I am now happily back working, and my friends are slowly emerging blinking into the sunlight and sitting in my garden once again. Lovely.

Rowsie Wed 08-Jul-20 14:57:31

I am grateful for:
* My garden (the lock down would have been awful without one)
* The weather ( how much worse it would have been had we had rain evry day!)
* My families regular calls and the Whats app quizzes.
* That I am comfortable enough not to have to worry about money at all during this time.
Having listed these, I am more than aware that some people don't have any of these and I really feel for those people. I hope everyone can eventually come out of this soon and return to their normal lives.

Isobelw Wed 08-Jul-20 14:50:43

I am so grateful for the time I have spent with my daughter

Plus good books and netflix

mbody Wed 08-Jul-20 14:15:04

I have learned how to shop on line which I had never done. Lucky to have a garden to enjoy and interesting walks round and about. Enjoyed zoom bingo with Rotary and joined in zoom Brownie meetings which the girls have loved.

Dannydog1 Wed 08-Jul-20 14:05:08

I have been very grateful to thoughtful younger neighbours who have never failed to ask me whether I need anything from the supermarket when they have been shopping during lockdown. We have also enjoyed shopping slices of home baked goodies every week. This all helped keep the anxiety at bay

burwellmum Wed 08-Jul-20 13:59:53

I am grateful to all those workers who kept life continuing during lockdown, including my daughter working on the covid wards. I am grateful for our garden, which I have probably appreciated as never before. I am grateful to my 15 year old who approached lockdown and even homeschooling with great positivity and was good company most of the time.

Dollyfair Wed 08-Jul-20 13:45:01

It has made me very grateful for technology. To be able to keep in touch with family and friends. Imagine if this had happened in the days of contact by mail only, or using a telephone box. To be able to Skype, mobile phone or text or email is truly wonderful and must not be taken for granted.

Hetty58 Wed 08-Jul-20 13:20:20

I'm very self reliant anyway so I've really appreciated the opportunity for more solitude, peace and quiet. Spending time in the garden, seeing the wildlife really flourish with less traffic and air pollution has been wonderful.

I've appreciated staying in touch with phone calls and Zoom, having no social commitments, doing as I please, long walks with the dog, cycling, books, films and music - all my favourites.

I want an even larger garden, more challenges, extra things to do. I believe an easy, sedentary life is very unhealthy for the elderly. I can think of nothing worse than being caged in a tiny flat and expected to socialise!

GrAnne2 Wed 08-Jul-20 13:01:47

Lockdown has made me grateful for so many things;

My family’s health
The love of my granddaughters (expressed virtually via FaceTime and by mail in some cut out hands on a string for a virtual hug!)
My wonderful Labradors, with their boundless enthusiasm for life
My great good fortune to live on a smallholding, with beautiful countryside all around and lambing to occupy us in the spring
The fact that nature has had the peace to blossom, particularly during the season when so many baby animals are emerging (a wonderful natural ‘reset’ that was much needed)

In general, I would express an enormous debt of gratitude to NHS workers - but equally to the postal & delivery workers; shop workers; bin men and all those who have kept working so that the country continues to function.

I consider myself extremely fortunate during this pandemic - and extremely grateful ❤️

nanarossi Wed 08-Jul-20 12:18:41

I am grateful that my family have stayed well. I am grateful to have a garden which I can tend and sit out in when the weather is fine. I am desperate to cuddle my grandchildren and can't wait for that. I have been grateful for a time to assess what is really important to me and what I will no longer do post lockdown.

annie55w Wed 08-Jul-20 12:16:18

Grateful to my partner for keeping me from being lonely.So grateful to my 3 adult children and 6 grandchildren for always being at the end of the phone.

janney3 Wed 08-Jul-20 12:09:17

I am grateful for my dog and husband without these two I may have just stayed in bed these past few months.

Anj123 Wed 08-Jul-20 11:48:06

I’m grateful for my health, my home, family, friends and that I’m able to work from home. I’m a bit of a homebody so haven’t found lockdown too bad, and also find plenty of things to do in the house!

inishowen Wed 08-Jul-20 11:25:12

I've felt grateful for an enforced rest. Also having time to knit, read and do some gardening. Thankful that I don't know anyone who has caught the virus.

Molly10 Wed 08-Jul-20 11:12:06

I'm grateful for Life!

Despite many hospital visits for myself during the pandemic and recovering from and accepting great recent family loss, I am here.

I take great pleasure that I can still offer help to others daily. Walk in the fresh air and breath, see and smell nature at its best.

Yes, very grateful for Life!

Annie29 Wed 08-Jul-20 11:04:16

The thing or person I am most grateful for is my hubbie, as always he is my rock and best friend.
Also for technology which enabled me to keep in touch with family and friends.
For a supermarket and local shop who delivered groceries to my 92 year old mother who lives 300 miles away.
Also thankful for our wonderful NHS.
I am looking forward to being able to plan a day out without worrying about needing the toilet.
But most of all I am looking forward to is hugging my grandchildren again.
I have tried unsuccessfully to learn and enjoy a game of chess.

Scottieboi Wed 08-Jul-20 10:43:45

I’m just very thankful to all my friends who have gone the extra mile to stay in touch, whether this be by text, a phone call, a vid message or the old traditional card and note smile You have all helped me keep my chin up throughout all of this and for this I’m extremely grateful. Let’s hope we can all meet up soon and I can treat you to tea and cake cafe Take care all! X

Authoress Wed 08-Jul-20 10:34:39

My kid. Living at home with Mum in your late 20s can't be fun - but BOY have I appreciated having you around these last few months!

cookiemonster66 Wed 08-Jul-20 10:30:36

I am so grateful that no one I know has come down with the virus. I am grateful that we still have a roof over our heads, (just about), it is being replaced in August! (so please hang in there for one more month). We have food in our cupboards, but mainly in our tummy's, according to the scales, and hubby has kept his job, when others in his firm have just lost theirs, albeit his wage has been decreased, but we are just about afloat. Look at what you have got, not at what you have not!

susiesioux Wed 08-Jul-20 10:28:50

I have been grateful to my daughter for letting me ride in one of her ponies whenever I have felt the need to get out. To my sister in law for giving me her old kindle so I had something to read once the library book pile had dwindled.
Most looking forward to hugging my son and daughter and two granddaughters and for libraries to reopen