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

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.

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 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’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 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 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 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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

The NHS. Husband recently had to go into hospital in an emergency. He had brilliant care, was protected from the virus, and is better. We celebrated our 47th wedding anniversary with a nice meal at home yesterday.

During lockdown I’ve been so grateful for the internet. We are able to FaceTime our children and see our grandchildren.

Without the internet and online shopping we would have had difficulties. We have had great service from the supermarket and delivery people also local online suppliers.

Local volunteers we didn’t know put leaflet through door and were kind enough to collect husband’s prescription even though it meant queuing for a long time. They kept messaging us to make sure we were ok.

being alive!

I am grateful for what I have learnt. I have learnt that I don't need as much as I thought I did. I have learnt what is important in my life and most of all I have learnt how to count my blessings. I am so grateful that I have been given this chance to learn these things

I am grateful to Sainsbury's for delivering whilst we are shielding - it has helped us to remain independent.
I'm also grateful that I love crafts and jigsaws and reading - all solitary things that I rarely have time for.
I have also discovered my inner gardener and the garden is certainly showing it's appreciation of my efforts.

Im grateful my brother who was ill with the virus made a good recovery thanks to our NHS

Strangely, and uncharacteristically for me, it has been flowers. My sister and I live hundreds of miles apart and challenged each other to identify and send a photo of a different flower every day since the start of lockdown.

Also, as a hobby writer, I couldn't concentrate on writing anything at first with the news hitting me all day every day. I did manage to keep up with writing a monthly story or two though for a site that gives flower and poetry prompts for short stories.

Thanks for my husband's company and sense of humour.

I'm grateful for having a garden and good places to go for walks. I"m grateful to have a home with all I need - including things like clean water in the taps, which is a luxury most of the world would love to have too. I'm grateful to have slowed down and been less busy, but still connecting with family and friends, though without hugs, which I miss. I'm grateful that the birds seemed to sing more loudly - as if celebrating our quieter lock down world! I'm grateful to be well.

Every day seems like a bonus to me now that I am in my eighties and still standing!
I'm grateful to all the people who have had to work throughout the coronavirus, particularly NHS staff and those in care homes, and delivery drivers and supermarket staff .
I'm thankful for my lovely son who made sure that I didn't go without anything I needed and kept in touch every single day.
I'm thankful that we live in the electronic age which makes it possible to keep in touch with our loved ones even when we cannot see them. How would we manage now without our tablet or pc, kindle, smartphone, and smart tv etc.
And I'm grateful there are so many things still left to enjoy, in particular my garden. I'm grateful to all the lovely people who have kept in touch with me and made sure I am alright.
So thank you everyone.

I 'm grateful to my husband who cooks lovely meals and has worked so hard on the garden, which is now filled with lots of colour. Also the courgette cakes he has learned to make. We're lucky we both like walking together. I'm grateful that I love crafting as this has kept away the boredom of having to stay within four walls. All the NHS workers and everyone who has kept things going - shop assistants, lorry drivers, bin men. Our pharmacy has been brilliant. Our neighbours who initially shopped for us. The list is endless ?

I am grateful all my family have not been ill and that we live in a lovely rural area in North Wales where we can take the dog for walks with a decent garden space to potter around in and not be cooped up in a small home.

I am grateful to be a an only child of elderly parents married to the same. We spent all our 50's struggling with looking after old people so now through this pandemic we look after one another. We are used to our own company and with parents who lived through two World Wars pretty resourceful. I have been mocked for my "Rationing Mentality" but it has stood me in good stead the last few months!

It has made me grateful for having my own choices and being able to go and see family and the choice of going out for a walk or just to get groceries. I am so grateful to return to work and not have caught this awful disease. Never again will I take anything for granted and if I have a sad day I will just remeber how lucky I am.

I’m grateful for the simple things in life ...hugging someone you love ,I’m grateful that my family and friends have stayed healthy, our beautiful countryside free pleasures in life .