Thread for the moments when you realised how fortunate and indeed spoilt you are

[NorthernLurker]

So growing up we also used to laugh at the effusive birthday cards covered in glitter and addressed to a darling granddaughter that my Nan would buy. Obviously we appreciated the cards but truth be told we thought her card taste more than a bit dodgy.

When grown up I bought her the cards she liked with glitter and effusive words even though I didn't like them because I knew she would. One year she rang to thank me and said how much she liked it. I said I knew she would and then she told me that growing up as a kid she envied the other kids in the village who got birthday cards. Her family couldn't afford them. It's not like they starved but a card was an unaffordable luxury. So when she grew up and could afford them for her own kids and then grandkids she got a lot of pleasure out of that.

I just felt so spoilt, I had appreciated the cards but never seen what they really meant. I would never have described my family as overly indulgent but I could see nevertheless how very spoilt I had been. Just ordered Nan's card for this year - large,vomit inducing teddy in Santa outfit, glitter, gushing words. She'll love it

Anybody else had the opportunity to see just how lucky they are? Please share

What a strangely nice thread. I’m grateful for lots of basic things, like last night I put the electric heater on and off for an hour or so without worrying too much.

Cherry pavlova, I don’t quite understand why it’s hard for you, especially as you’ve pointed out that it’s not done in a controlling way!

I was very grateful yesterday that we only had to wait around ten minutes for my son to be seen in A&E after he cut above his eye, we a very lucky to live somewhere that doesn't have a busy hospital on a Saturday night.

I have also realised how lucky I have been to grow up and live in a peaceful country and move and live in other peaceful countries after having German lessons with refugees from several different countries who had lived in horrific conditions and fled their countries to be safe,

We were in South Africa recently on holidays and seeing townships and people with disabilities having to beg in traffic (on crutches and in wheelchairs in the middle of dual carriageways!), when we have secure jobs, a comfy home and the means to travel was humbling. We're terribly lucky.

This year money is really tight, but we've managed to get Christmas presents without going into debt, by buying carefully throughout the year. But what makes me feel so lucky and spoiled is that we've been able to go to the in laws for Christmas this year and our amazing in laws are doing a Christmas Dinner for us. We just could not find the money for a roast with any of the trimmings this year, let alone any treats for the kids. But my parents who were in a tough place financially when I was little, they didn't have any family who would do this for them. I don't remember going without, but I know there was no Christmas dinner when I was little. It didn't bother me at the time, but I know it must have been really hard for my parents.

Wonderful story northern

I feel very lucky to have been loved and have loved

Im lucky in material things as well

But my parents loved/love me very much, i know my brother is always there for me even though he is a pain in the arse, my husband loves and spoils me and my children are a joy

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and the 2019 they want

Excellent thread!

Made me think about when I was at the gym for a class on Thursday morning. We were all chatting beforehand, moaning about the weather, all joking about how we really didn’t want to be here this morning, too tired, not feeling it etc.

But we had the luxury of choosing to be at a gym class. We can afford the membership fee, we didn’t have to be at work that morning, buy clothes just to exercise in. It’s such a frivolous thing!

I got soaked on the way to work. So I went into the shopping centre next to the rail terminus, and bought new trousers and socks, changed, went to work. 15-25 years ago I wouldn't have been able to afford that. Dry feet shouldn't be a luxury.

Years of boarding school with girls from all over made me very glad I lived here in a country where we have politics rather than dictatorial decrees or riots or war. Mostly. Certainly glad my family wasn't rich enough for anyone to try to assassinate them.

After various years of building work meaning no roof for Christmas or DP having to do DIY because of storms, I am very glad for my solid warm house. There's still stuff to do but I'm telling DP to take time off and appreciate what we've done.

A friend and her family went on a day out to the local zoo. Telling me about it afterwards she said “we had such a lovely day, I’m so glad we saved up for it”.

If we want to go to the zoo we go to the zoo, this is not something we would have to save up for. That one statement has stayed with me ever since and has really made me re-evaluate a lot of things.

Thanks for all the replies. Some really nice things to read and think about,