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

I am so grateful to all the Support Workers (Carers) where my 25 years old son has his own little flat in a Residential Care Home. He has Aspergers Syndrome and severe OCD about germs everywhere and washing his hands with tons of soap! We usually see him every week either at his flat or home to us for Sunday dinner. With my Husband who is 73 having to ‘Shield’ we were unable to go to see him. Plus our son told us we were to stay away to stay safe as he doesn’t want us to get ill. Obviously being his Mum I was so scared for him and upset that it was something I couldn’t keep him safe from.His carers promised they would take care of him for us. They came to our house every third week to collect little pots of ready cooked mince that I do for him (Essential trip for food)and anything else he hadn’t been able to get from Tesco online shopping-I always try to keep a stock of things he uses such as Anti bac wipes, dettol spray etc. And sometimes treats ie sweets or biscuits for the staff. I booked his shopping for him as best I could with everyone else doing online shopping. It wasn’t always easy as he usually has the same day and time every week but they made sure there was always a career to help with it no matter ŵhat time it arrived. Normally every item has to be wiped before it can come into his flat so they had to do it extra thoroughly. As he couldn’t go out on his long walks they sat with in his flat during his 1 to 1 hours and helped to keep him cheerful. We were so afraid he would go back to his constant hand washing as a result of the “Wash your hands”campaign but thankfully he didn’t. I could go on and on about how much they have taken care of him and helped him since he moved there just over four years ago. I can’t thank them enough for all they have done for him through this difficult time. We couldn’t have managed without them. They don’t get enough thank yous or enough pay for the things they have to do sometimes. Thank you.❣️

The regular calls from family and friends, my health, the ability to walk in the quiet countryside near where I live and enjoy the birds and flowers, something which I’ve previously been too busy to enjoy, walking in different areas of the town I’ve lived in over 30 years and finding gems - bushes, flowers, beautiful houses, and other people’s dogs - although have restrained myself from giving them a fuss for fear of virus transmission.

i am very grateful to my dog getting out for walks with him and enjoying the birdsong while in lock down. Grateful for life just slowing down that little bit. Also i am very grateful to my Granddaughter (9) phoning me every night to read a chapter of the latest book

i feel very grateful for the grandchildren they reminded me there was so much to live for and made me count my blessings

I am grateful to be alive. I am also grateful that I was taught always to keep a good pantry! Even when we couldn't get a delivery slot there was always something in the cupboard that allowed me to rustle up a good meal.

Being able to look after my parents just by doing the shopping and spending more time with my family.

Above all else it's obviously family

I am grateful that I was able to spend quality time with my family. My sons are fleeing the nest this year, so this was fantastic quality time with them.

I have realised how important your family is to you I think we all take things for granted some times and lockdown has certainly made me think how important family is, I have also thought a great deal about the people with small businesses that have struggled to survive in this difficult time and the families that have gone without. It’s certainly opened my eyes to what has happened and what could happen in the future, my heart goes out to all the people who have lost loved ones ☹️? and lastly really concerned about the nhs workers struggling to save people and the conditions they are working in.

My Daughter lives in London and had a new baby in Nov 19. She came down to stay just before Lockdown with Husband as they were on Maternity and Paternity Leave. Our little family has been here ever since.
All the weeks during lockdown we have had time to get to know our little Grandson, watch him grow and learn to do new things. Suddenly our days have been full of fun, happiness, laughter and joy.
We live in quite a rural area and I am proud to say my SIL and Daughter have been out and about helping other oldies who could not get out to do their shopping.
I am so grateful for my lovely little family and the chance to spend this time together and for all the fun we have had.
I am now wondering if when lockdown finally ends if we should move to be closer to our family as we will really miss them when they all go back to London.

I am grateful for the chance it gave me to recover from a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain. Though I had gone back to work, I was not coping well as I was constantly tired and couldn’t remember jobs I had been doing daily for 12 years. We had to cut staff hours and, though I wanted to work, I volunteered for redundancy. I was very sad when I was made redundant, especially as it was immediately before lockdown. However, I am now so glad it happened as I have had the time to recover. I am no longer exhausted though my memory may never be as good as before!

Hi everyone in the lockdown I am
Just so grateful to my kind and wonderful neighbours who have looked after and helped stray
Cats and they helped me feed and care for stray and feral cats as I feed them all from my garden. One neighbour has bought me an outdoor cat den to shield them from the rain and cold. God bless them all it’s really made me appreciate all the good in the world. ?

All through lockdown I have missed the little thing of my granddaughter's touch. I adore her hand in mine as we walk together and the way she cuddles up to me when we are watching a television programme.

My wife and I have had health issues for many years - but I am really grateful that we haven't had any "new" ailments. I'm grateful for the love and support of our children and grandchildren who each have their own problems to deal with but still concern themselves with ours. We have family chats through Facebook and whats app - which lifts our spirits. I'm grateful too for my membership in a church which organises zoom Sunday School classes; so I get to see a lot of friendly faces at least once a week, as well as the frequent phone call from several of the members who show genuine concern for us (including the young man who shows up every few weeks to mow my lawn and the lawns of several members who need his help (while he has a family of his own to care for)). I thank God for so many good things in my life!

I have come to realise over the last few months that I don't need to keep buying STUFF. Use what I have, wait for things to run out rather than stockpiling,

grateful to my partner for all the help he has gave me and all the help he has gave our elderly neighbours too during lockdown

I have to say the idea of being in lockdown was much worse than the reality. I was able to exercise daily in the beautiful surroundings of Exmoor in wonderful weather so thank you to all the rangers and volunteers working for Exmoor or the National Trust for keeping our countryside so accessible for us all

Our cats have been a comfort, but I am most grateful and thankful for my better half. He has always looked after me well and cared for me for 30+ years, but during lockdown has done a brilliant job of keeping me well shielded and protected. He has gone the extra mile doing all the shopping, not only for me, but another neighbour who has to shield and an elderly customer of theirs. He has kept providing supplies of pet food for all 3 of us too (total 3 cats & 2 guinea pigs). He has been very careful about wearing gloves to handle items, fill up with fuel, taking his own bags etc + doing a total back-to-brick renovation on the new property pretty much on his own. He has baked for me and the neighbour (we have the same food allergy too, so know anything safe for me is also OK for her). He has spoken to both of his parents several times every week, sometimes buying things online to send for them. He stayed away from work for months and now only has contact with his business partner (who also spent a couple of months seeing only his parents in the one household). They are working, but not taking any jobs that would involve going through the house, not accepting food or drinks etc - a totally different way of working for them but they are both being sensible in minimising any potential risks, even turning work down. And on top of all this he is cooking for me, helping when I need it for baths/personal care etc. He is even posting mail for me and that is something he doesn't like doing and used to forget a lot, but he knows it is important to me. He really is one of life's genuinely nice people, a good guy, my best friend too. If I were lucky enough to win this voucher I would be more than happy to let him view the list and select a store so that, for once, he could treat himself to something. It would be a lovely way to be able to say thank you with more than words.

I am grateful to my daughter for bringing my grandchildren aged 4 and 7 to my house without telling me. I have mobility problems and it was so lovely giving them a cuddle and kiss (even through a glass window ?!)

I'm most grateful to the postman and mail order delivery drivers, who kept me in touch with the world. And to my local launderette, which continued to do washing, ironing and dry cleaning with a free collection and delivery service. Always collected and returned promptly by a lovely lad, wearing a mask but I sensed his smile.

I'm greatful to have a wonderful daughter and son in law who did my shopping, collected prescriptions and listened to me when I was feeling down, My young grandchildren for their homemade cards and video calls, my dog who gave my days structure and a lady who always took the time to wave and give me a smile as I passed her house when I took my dog on her daily walks

I felt grateful to have a garden, we've developed it a lot over the last few months. Also for the Internet which allowed lots of family contact. ?‍?‍??

I am so grateful that I have been working all the way through the lock down and very grateful that all my family are healthy and safe, And I thank god that we have got computers and Telephones because were would we have been without them.

I have been most grateful to have a job that I can do from home. Many have not been so lucky and I can not imagine having to worry about health and finances (the two biggies!) at the same time. I have tried my best to support small local businesses who have been hit very hard. I am grateful to hear that many have weathered this time and are beginning to bring ‘life’ back into many communities. I am grateful for their strength and creativity in keeping essential services going .

I am thankful for all the small things which I once took for granted.

The sound of birdsong and butterflies fluttering in the warmth of the sun.
The fact that when I open the larder or fridge I have food
on the shelves
People talking together over the fence and sharing their concerns
Children laughing and playing in the back gardens around me

I'm also so grateful for the bigger things
My daughter, a paramedic, working long hours but still smiling even when people are rude or abusive

Seeing my other daughter who lives thousand of miles away in Australia wave to me on the screen and say that she can't wait till we all meet up again.

Keeping my husband who has a lung disease safe and free of the virus.

The thought that this WILL all end one day.

I'm grateful for so many things....grateful for the hope that keeps us going and grateful to those who make that hope possible.