Today I am grateful for....

That my heart ache is getting a tiny bit better, found my partner of 15 years with another woman a month ago, I threw him out but the heartbreak is awful.

Grateful for my lovely family, whatever strange little quirks we have, my warm house, full fridge, big bookcase loaded with fantastic stuff to read,gentle dog, kind neighbours - that;'s enough for one grateful person.

We live in a 'safe' country, we own our house, we can afford to be warm, we can eat well, we have comparatively good health, as do our family, we have a lot to be grateful for!

My daughter is pregnant after five miscarriages. I rang this morning and she said she was at the hospital. My heart was thumping. "What's wrong" I asked. "Oh nothing" she replied, "I'm here for a routine appointment". Phew ....

Some lovely heartwarming reminders here for people in the middle of difficult circumstances that even after the most trying times there can still be much to be thankful for. Thanks for sharing.

When my children were younger we had a tradition that after school they would tell me two good things and one not so good thing about their day. Now they are adults and often, when we get together after a period of time, we still fall into this balance of talking about what is going on in their lives. It is good to count our blessings, but equally important to be able to share when there are problems, so I'm glad Victoria08 has been bold enough to tell us that she's having a tough time.

Victoria08 here are some and a , which may not make everything right in your world, but may help you feel a little brighter today. If you really think that you're suffering from depression then a trip to the doctor is called for so you can get the help you need. Come back and tell us how you're getting on.

Dear Grannyactivist,

I am so grateful to you for starting this wonderful thread. As I get older I have been thinking about the things that are important at this stage in life, and absolutely top of the list is 'count your blessings'. My own wonderful mother who died 16 years ago was very disabled by the end and never stopped thinking about all that was good in life, even when she could hardly do anything for herself any more. She had been active and very independent. What an example.

We are all so lucky to live in a safe and peaceful country; you only have to think about people in Syria and other parts of the world to realise what we all have.

Thankful that OH and I have good health, also DSs and their families. Thankful for our family, DB and his family, DSis and hers. Thankful that we are financially secure; thankful that next month we can look forward to lighter days with Spring on the horizon. So much to be thankful for.

to anyone not so fortunate, and hope that the New Year brings you peace and resolution.

With a chronic illness, I am grateful today that I feel a bit better than yesterday. I am not well enough to travel myself so I am soooo excited because I have just heard that my daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren in Australia are planning to come over to stay in Summer. I could go on for pages counting my blessings - that I live in a safe country, can afford to own a computer, am loved by my grandchildren and the sun is shining are just a few for example.

Grateful that DM is still in reasonably good health - she's 87 & I'm off to visit (she's in Yorkshire, I'm in Devon)

Looking forward to Christmas Lunch with DD & DGS - seeing him open all those presents, he's 6 & looking forward to next May when my DD is due with another DGC.


Miss my DH - last Christmas of his life he was in a Nursing home, that was 3 years ago - he would have loved Christmas with DGS

Glad I moved last year to be nearer DD & her family - my 2nd Christmas here - near enough to visit (about 20 mins) but not too close

I too am so grateful for my good health and the body that carries me through life. For a long time now my quietly spoke. mantra at the end of a yoga class is "thankfulness, gratefulness, grounded and strong"

Grateful for the wonderful two week holiday/adventure I have just had with DD2
And that she and her sister will be with us for Christmas
It has been a difficult year for all of us ,but those things which can get better are doing so, and for that I am grateful

Goldengirl

I am grateful that my lovely daughter who drives me up the wall is such a strong person and has amazed us all by coming through a terrible year. Her Husband died at the same time as I was told that my tests showed it was a 90%% chance of my lump being ovarian cancer and booked in for an operation the following week. I was unable to support and help my physicall and mentally disabled daughter cope at this awful time but she did. Now she is happier than ever (was it a happy marriage? And the money he left her helped) and I didnt have cancer. Also grateful for the wonderful friends I have around the world.

It does Anya. He's actually with us at the moment doing electronics stuff with his grandad and singing away. It makes me very emotional

goldengirl that will mean more than anything to you and your family.

I'm grateful that our GS continues to grow and flourish after his battle with meningoccal septacaemia 6 years ago this Christmas. We're all grateful to the doctor who diagnosed him when others had failed and to the children's ambulance team at GOS who worked to keep him alive.

That a not nice year is looking brighter for some, not for others, but that we have the ability to make the most of family and friendship.

Clean, running water, electricity, no cockroaches in bedroom. Posting from a country where it's all been a bit of an issue!

I'm grateful that I have the best partner I could ask for, grateful for her love and the laughter we share.

I am grateful for all the lovely people who will come together this afternoon for the the jolly pre-Christmas event that my singing group organise in a local church - we all have a great time - lots of mince pies, ringing of bells, laughter, sharing of talents, coming together of the generations and raising some money to maintain the wonderful building and to support our wonderful wee primary school.

I very grateful and glad to be here and seeing my 4 grandchildren growing up to be the little people that they are. Christmas is just around the corner and I have the pleasure of being able to buy them gifts and see them on Christmas day.

Dear Victoria08

I was so sorry to read that you don't feel there is anything to be grateful for at the moment. I know that Christmas and the run-up to it can make it seem like everyone has happy families and are going to have a wonderful time.

I have had a difficult year with panic attacks and periods of anxiety and the worries are not going to disappear just because the calendar shifts to a year with a 7 in it.

I don't know your circumstances but I have found it helpful to pamper myself sometimes and to occupy myself doing things that I enjoy.

I try not to focus on or analyse my feelings if I feel bad. I know that just as the Earth rotates in space, eventually new things will happen and that I can also help to make things happen in small ways.

I hope this helps.

I am grateful to be still alive, I'm grateful that I have my son daughter in law and 3 grandchildren. I'm grateful I will soon see my lovely daughter, who lives in the South, for Christmas. Also grateful I have enough to have a nice Christmas and to know that soon will be the shortest day and then the days will get longer again. I too hate the cold.
Victoria08, do get help if you are clinically depressed. If it's just a down day it will pass.
Hugs and flowers to those with serious problems and hope the New Year brings better things.

Everything I have. That Grace is still with us, aged 5, when doctors said she would only live a year. It is unlikely to be a long life but she is happy and very much loved.

I am grateful for the sun coming back soon, the earth will warm and things will grow again, nature all around me.

Unfortunately, I don't feel grateful about anything at the moment.

Don't feel there's anything to look forward to.

I must be depressed.