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

Hi. During lockdown I've been very grateful for the clear rules set out by our first minister Nicola Sturgeon. I have a great deal of confidence in her and her advisors to see us through this. I have also been grateful for less traffic, cleaner air, the park across the road, my husband. I have also realised the importance of family. It's when you can't see them so much that you appreciate them more. I'm also grateful for all the shop workers, NHS staff, teachers and the other key workers who have kept us going. I am also grateful for the people who have stuck to the rules and helped keep the rest of us safe.

I am in poor health and shielding but will be eternally grateful to local residents, both young and older, who rallied round to offer support of every kind to myself and disabled brother during this unimaginably difficult and scary time. The unconditional kindness of complete strangers never fails to amaze and delight me!

J am grateful to my two sons and daughter in law who have taken turns to do my shopping each week refusing to allow me out of the house. They have all been amazing. I shall reward them with a special Sunday lunch, on me, when safe to do so.

More than anything I have been so glad of the time to sit back, look at my life and say a heartfelt 'thank you' for everyone and everything. My life is and always has been an unfathomable privilege.

I am also grateful for my darling dog we had some lovely walks in April unfortunately she got ill and had amputation but she still here, walking (well hopping) and wagging and alert and eager.

I’m very grateful for my garden. It’s small, but it has been a life saver.
I am looking forward to being able to hug my great big hairy son. I’ve seen him a few times, but socially distanced. Can’t wait for one of his big bear hugs, but who knows when that will be.

I am so grateful for deliveries from supermarkets. There are four of us living at home, my husband and I and two grown up daughters, one vegetarian and one who eats a gluten free and lactose free diet.
Not one delivery has been unduly late, and each has been delivered safely and cheerfully. Most things have been available (except flour) and we have got to enjoy a few substitutes. We have not had to venture out to the shops yet.

I’m grateful to all the everyday people who I have probably taken for granted all through my life. Covid-19 has focused my mind and made me realise just how many everyday people contribute to our lives, NHS, carers , police, fire service, shop workers, waiters, factory workers, teachers, refuse collectors, farmers, transport workers, entertainers, construction workers, fishermen, dentists, charity workers, cleaners, gardeners and so many more, an endless list that is absolutely the backbone of our country.
I am also grateful for my family, my friends, our health and our good fortune.
Very grateful for all the friends on Gransnet who provide care, support, fun and interesting debate for each other.

I feel grateful that we had retired, so no worries about jobs. We live in a nice house, with a garden, and easy access to the countryside for safe walks. And I am grateful for my supportive (albeit occasionally annoying) husband

I am grateful for one of my son's who did my shoppping when i was unable too. I am also grateful for having the experience of remaining at home 24/7 for weeks on end., with only a short walk for exercise. It has taught me that peace and quiet, not rushing here there and every where is to be valued. Even though i have had some days when i felt low for no apparent reason, i have managed to hang on till the next day when i have felt better. I have enjoyed my garden, greenhouse and home. Catching up on chores that never got done as i was out and about all the time. My Garden has never been so productive as i have nutured all the plants i grew and now reap the rewards, beautiful organic veg and flowers. Yes i have missed family and friends but am grateful for unlimited calls on my phone and the internet so i have remained in contact with them.

I have been most grateful for my garden. It is nice to look at and there is always something to do. We have a wildlife friendly space and we in the past 10years have rarely been home for 3 months at a time and it has been really interesting to watch it change. The unusual weather has also affected the plants.

My life

Lockdown hasn't really affected us, as we see very few people at any time.

It's nice to be able to shop in less crowded shops and not to be pushed in the queue at the cash desk.

Otherwise things have been more or less normal all the time.

Living in a lovely area (Cumbria) and being able to get out and walk from the house was fantastic during lockdown, then as restrictions eased we had the Lake District practically to ourselves for a few weeks. What could be better?
Immense gratitude to NHS and all frontline workers for continuing to labour during difficult conditions (and I include supermarkets and delivery staff in that).

I am grateful that people have been kinder and shown more respect to those in keyworker positions and our wonderful NHS, and that greater numbers of the population are understanding that we need to look after our planet far better if we are all to have a future.

I'm grateful for the cheery volunteer who delivers my prescriptions. Always has a smile on his face. Also I have the forest on my doorstep, and have been exploring a lot more then I would have done before the pandemic.

I' would single out a young lady from the church who calls every week to ask me if I need any shopping. So kind.

I have learnt to appreciate nature around me and giving my grandchildren a hug!

I'm looking forward to going anywhere I like without a face mask and not have to worry about this awful virus.

So grateful for having small groups of friends, our daily messaging has kept me sane during this time. Also big thanks to all the delivery drivers, online shopping occupied me for hours then it was lovely to have my package delivered by a friendly face. Taking up online yoga was a big boost so thanks to my lovely yoga teacher Lisa Seretny and my friend Allison for recommending her. Definitely something I will keep going now things are returning to normal.

My son lives and works on the other side of the world and sadly we cannot meet up this year. He now has a lovely Russian fiancé and I am so grateful for her. She keeps me updated with their day to day life, sending me little messages and photos. This week they have been flat hunting and I received a video of their new apartment. It is wonderful to be included in this way and really helps to close the miles between us.

I am grateful for the sunny weather. We have had days now of rain and it does get you down, so the weeks of sunshine that keeps us in a brighter mood, have longer walks with beloved dogs and to sit in our gardens, if we are lucky enough to have one of course.
Also to the kindness of some of my friends who kept in touch that little more often knowing I was in lockdown on my own. Thank you so much.

I think more than anything this lockdown has made me even more grateful for family and friends. It has also made me very grateful for technology, without which I would not have been able to see my two children, one lives and works in London and the other lives and works in Devon (I'm in Merseyside). It has made me realise that "objects and possessions" really mean nothing without family and friends to share them with

I am so very grateful to the team at the Sue Ryder hospice who took such amazing care of my 93 year old mother during the final days of her life. She died on April 24th- I wasn’t able to visit
her but everyday they contacted me and I was able to have a lovely final conversation with her before she slipped away 3 days later. I know she passed away peacefully, without worry or pain- they held her hand while she died and they provided much needed bereavement counselling for me following her death.
Thank you so much to them.
❤️❤️❤️

I am so grateful to my shibashi students who have stuck with me throughout, tuning in to live classes on FB. It really motivates me when I know they have been keeping healthy and moving.

I am so grateful that I had pre paid and booked a supermarket slot as I am shopping for my MIL and elderly neighbours at present. A big thanks to all those delivery people out there!

I am grateful for my garden and mostly good weather. I have been able to keep active and healthy

i'm gratefulthat my health is good and i've built a wild life pond in my garden, and with all the birds i can sit and watch in tranquility
i'm grateful i live in a village, so my walks in lockdown took me by the fields and by the brook which runs through our village.
i'm grateful of all those people out there willing to help at this awful time.
most of all i'm grateful to my wife of 42 years. she has been on furlough for the last 4 months so we have been under each others feet, so she is a saint for putting up with me constantly, and yes we never argue and no divorce on the horizon.