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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

quizqueen Wed 08-Jul-20 01:06:54

I am grateful to my cat for the daily companionship she gives me, having a lovely house and garden to care for and sit in with reasonably quiet, friendly neighbours in a nice part of the country, family who have kept in touch regularly by email and skype and phone calls and friends who have sent lots of jokes and news items to discuss by email too.

I haven't been bored at all during lockdown even though I live by myself. I also helped out with home schooling my granddaughter via skype.

dogsmother Wed 08-Jul-20 09:29:27

Quite simply my family.
No matter what any of us have from bricks and mortar to gardens and cars and pets. The very fact I have my husband and children makes me feel eternally blessed.
This also makes me realize how much I want them all to get on with raising children of their own.

Coconut Wed 08-Jul-20 10:03:40

I am so grateful that all my family are all well despite my eldest son having the virus, he is now well. I am grateful that all my adult children have looked at their “treadmill” lives with high flying careers, and have so loved spending so much time with their own children and partners .... so are all now looking at redressing their work/life balances.

Lclaytonuk555 Wed 08-Jul-20 10:06:32

Grateful that my family has kept well. Fully appreciated my husband and all that he does for me. Having a lovely garden and view has kept us both sane.

Technology to keep in touch is very high on the list too.

Looking forward to being able to hug my family and friends

gillyknits Wed 08-Jul-20 10:12:35

I am grateful for being born before television came along, into an era in which we had to entertain yourselves. I developed hobbies then, that have kept me busy and I don’t get bored easily. I think this has helped me to get through being ‘shielded.’

joysutty Wed 08-Jul-20 10:14:57

I was very grateful during lockdown to have a group of local people we found on facebook that would go and collect our prescriptions for us as my husband had had a pacemaker operation and he was 70 so would have had to stay indoors in any case but i didnt want to go out, plus we were able to get a weekly grocery shop done which was another bonus, and have a paramedic next door but one to us so i bought her a few handcreams as she said her hands were getting so raw with all the washing and using the handgels.

jmo Wed 08-Jul-20 10:20:51

Friends and sunshine.

Cs783 Wed 08-Jul-20 10:22:57

Early in lockdown I planted bits from a sprouting potato. I’ve now got some amazing new potatoes. Now I’m inspired to grow veg in my little garden next year. Planning now!

Lorraine1602 Wed 08-Jul-20 10:24:22

I am grateful that I managed to have a hip replacement just two weeks before the lockdown, so that I was pain free and able to exercise outside for my hour a day.

dahlia08 Wed 08-Jul-20 10:25:51

I did a little of gardening because I was unfortunately suffering from a nerve trap in my leg for nearly two months. Read books, cook and bake scones. I was self isolating too for which I was home all the time and I did some exercise(no fun) oh I saw some face masks. I miss tv soaps which has been scarce. Speak to the my son and daughter and grandsons. Being key worker the kids were going to school for two days when mum and dad were walking.

Cs783 Wed 08-Jul-20 10:28:08

So, grateful to all gardeners who encourage newbies! (I understand if I’ve disqualified myself here by writing 2 messages - my mistake).

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

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!

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!

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

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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 ❤️

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!

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.