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

I am very grateful for phone calls from my sister and a couple of close friends. With one friend in particular, we have arranged to have a phone call on the same day each week, so we both have something definite to look forward to. The posties have been great, often waving if they notice me at the window, and the receptionists at my GP surgery have been really helpful in helping me to negotiate the badly designed online system which we all have to use now (of course they can't book appointments and GPs are reusing to see anyone and then complaining if our written civvie descriptions don't give them the information they need to visualise a problem!)

I used to attend a few social gatherings before lockdown.
I`m a disabled wheelchair user and looked forward to meeting folk for a chat. These clubs are all dependent on charities ie MS, Chitchat and Hospices.

My main hobby is sewing and so with staying home, I decided to make things for charity.

I updated my 15 year old sewing machine and got completely carried away.

I`ve made cushions, aprons, tote bags, make up bags, rag dolls, book cushion covers, and around 50 masks!

I`ve spent money I would have saved for a holiday...which wont happen now.

I`ve stopped buying fabric and use recycled duvet covers.....people are happy to give them to me.

My lockdown time has made me able to show my thanks for all those who help me and other disabled people.

I am grateful for all the lovely people who have signed up to volunteer during the lockdown, our job has been to coordinate and dbs check then place them, but without them signing up in the first place it would be a bit struggle, so thank you to all of them, all of the small shopkeepers that have had stock when supermarkets havent, thank you for all the ancillary staff and admin staff who process all the patients and lastly to the frontline staff who are so selfless.

And what I'm most looking forward to; the birth of my first grandchild due in just over 2 months. I just hope I'll be able to visit by then.

I'm grateful for regular phonecalls from DD and DS who both live far away. I'm grateful for regular zooms with friends and family. I'm grateful for time to make gifts for friends for their birthdays and an excuse to call round to deliver them with a socially distanced chat near their door. I'm grateful for the friends that rang me to check I was OK if they didn't see any posts online. I'm grateful that I have a garden, good health and still have a job. I am grateful to have been able to afford to donate to charities helping people who are less fortunate, of whom there are many!

I am grateful to live on the coast and have been able to walk along the beach during lockdown for my exercise. I never appreciated it so much until now.

Grateful that I have managed to maintain contact with my grandchildren. In particular virtual bedtime stories, chats and virtual games. I am now an expert Guess Who player. Oldest GD and I have sent letters, pictures and jokes. I've also created projects (friendship bracelets, chive seeds, recipe sheets) and where possible provided the items/ingredients to make. Middle GD has joined in and likes her letters and jokes. GS is too busy for some of this but likes to see us virtually !

I am very grateful to my family who have helped me through this time. Also, to a very precious friend who has a wicked sense of humour and has kept things upbeat.

I’ve learnt (or more accurately, had it reinforced) what the best things in life are, and I’m grateful for all of them. Family, friends, health, a guaranteed income enough to feed you well and give you a secure space of your own, however modest, and the time to enjoy it all.

During lockdown the bonuses have been the good weather, the lack of pollution, the garden, some good walks on the doorstep, our friendly street, YouTube exercise videos, the internet in general and my books.

And what I look forward to most? Cuddling my grandsons and hugging my children. And getting back to our big, noisy, messy family get-togethers.

Thank you to our son’s who shopped for us each and every week of lockdown

Like so many - I am so grateful for our day to day services
Our NHS have been superb - we have an 18yr old niece who has been working on covid wards so, believe me, we know what a horrendous illness it is.
But I'm also grateful to all the workers NOT directly involved with Covid - those nursing 'general' patients, trauma etc. Our bin men, shop workers, delivery drivers etc.
Mainly though I am so grateful that DH and I haven't killed each other! I dreaded us being in lock-down together as I have OCD and he is the opposite!
However, we have laughed more in this last few weeks than ever, we've completed, or nearly completed, many jobs around the house that would never ever have been done.
Yes, we've had 'down' times as well but us oldies should be grateful that we don't have to worry about getting back to work because the money will run out; we don't have to go anywhere etc.
I am just grateful to be alive!
Thank you everyone who has worked to me my family and friends safe!

Today I held hands with my 2 year old grandson. He didn’t understand why grandma suddenly couldn’t hug him when we had spent so much time together since he was a baby. And it broke my heart. We both learned to do a happy dance when we saw each other. But our hands fitted together just right today as we finally walked together. Lockdown was harsh and cruel for grandparents and grandchildren.

I live in a rural community and I am grateful for the care and support provided by my neighbours during lockdown.

I feel so grateful for having a garden. It has been lovely pottering about taking time to enjoy it properly. I also enjoyed my dogs company and taking him for long walks. The gorgeous weather played a big part as well.

I am grateful to have had a house in the country with a large garden and plenty of space with dog walks on our door step.

My lovely husband, my garden and support from my family. And books .. always books!

Grateful for good health and lots of phone calls

Our residence road group has organised shopping, meals, book and DVD lending and much more. So many thanks to all those volunteers who have helped me and others. Much appreciated, thank you all.

I am very grateful I have a sewing machine .i used it every day during the lockdown, altering clothes and making bags and make up bag for family and friends by using a pair of curtains I no longer Needed. I even make a summer long skirt out of a old duvet cover . Happy with the results.this hobby helped me from boredom and keep my spirits up

the good weather made it more bearable because I could get out in the garden, the thing I most want to do is cuddle my grandchildren

I work for the NHS so life has been fairly 'normal' for me, still going out to work every day, and my partner is an undertaker, so the same for him.
I would like to thank my partner though, for taking to and from work and having to take up the bulk of the household chores for the last 7 weeks whilst I recover from a broken ankle and foot!

I'm obviously grateful for my health, family and garden, but it's given us sometime to slow down and be grateful for the many small things that are around us.

We have a lovely plant reserve near us we can walk round and we saw lots of orchids this year.

My veg patch has been planted and I'm grateful to start harvesting fresh veg for my tea and to see that there will be more to come.

I am very grateful for the posties & delivery drivers who have continued to do their jobs under very difficult circumstances. The amount of parcels being delivered each day has been incredible! Well done to all.

I am so grateful to have a large garden. It has been a life saver to get the fresh air and exercise without the crowds.

My list is not long

I am grateful for everything thing I have.

I am still working.
I am grateful for my husband who brings me tea and much much more
I am grateful for my children I havent seen them now for over 4 months They are safe
I am grateful for the regular photos and updates on my grandson. I havent seen my grandson for 4 months,
I am grateful for my garden, as when my working day has been awful, it is there to immerse me
I am grateful for whats app, video calls messages to keep in touch.
I am grateful for the life I have