When this is all over.....

We will have a family Memorial picnic for my MIL who died last May and never had anyone at her funeral as we were all Isolating. if we can all travel far enough we will distribute her ashes as she requested.

That’s very sad ( about your MIL) Oops and I think there will be many doing the same as you later this year.

We will be happy to host a garden party for relatives and friends ( supposing we are all still here!) such a simple thing that we normally do in Summer, but almost unimaginable now.

I don't see myself as ever being able to celebrate. I think I will always carry around a great sadness for those who have died .I know both can go hand in hand but not for me.

I agree Greenfinch- what will there be to celebrate and when? I'd love to have a new focus- especially for the children who have had such a dreadful time, and for the environment which has played such a vital role in our mental well-being. But celebration? No.
There will be so much to do we won't have much time for anything except our loved ones and friends.

I long to meet up with my sister who's receiving treatment and hopefully recovering from cancer.

Perhaps there should be a National Children’s Day, with lots of big events, fun fairs, zoos etc all free, and stately homes opening their grounds up and putting events on - something for all the children to be enabled to attend wherever they live and whatever their circumstances, free transport for those who don’t have it. They have suffered a lot, and it would be something for all of them to remember.

No specific celebration, a great thanks in my heart for those who have worked so unselfishly and hard throughout it. A great sadness in my heart for those who did not survive and those bearing the scars.

That’s a fabulous idea Casdon !? Children have had an awful time in many ways, all our DGC have been and still are struggling.

No. I do not want to celebrate.
I want to quietly and without fuss go back slowly to being with people I love.

I think I would resent any kind of national celebration.

A day of remembrance or adding something to remembrance Sunday is ok. Just don't think a big "do" is at all appropriate.

I don’t think there will be a ”When this is over” moment - with luck it will fade into the background in Europe and presumably the US except for inevitably some very unlucky people, but will rumble on in pockets all over the world.
There will be flare-ups and hopefully they will be contained , but over? I don’t think so.
How many years did it take to declare that smallpox had been eradicated? And have we seen the last of polio?
For hundreds and thousands of families there will be the opportunity to mark the lives of dear ones lost. Perhaps a national Memorial Service - but “over”? If only.

My celebrations will be when I can go to USA and Singapore to see eldest 2 and all the grandchildren
Nearer to home I’m expecting to be able to take part in some sort of a memorial service for a local fantastic much admired citizen who died last week aged 100. He mentored so many people in his varied life including my three boys.

Celebrate is the wrong word for me personally, but we will hopefully mark the ending of an horrendous episode in our lives by gathering together in a huge country lodge. 6 adults, 2 children and 4 dogs.
We will eat, drink, walk, play board games, but most of all, revel in being together again.
Oh Lord...... it seems so far away ?

I love Casdon’s idea of a National Children’s Day. In fact, can we make it a weekend? We could all take pleasure in seeing them enjoying themselves after the miserable year they’ve had. We were just saying what a raw deal school age children are getting right now. Their parents and younger siblings can at least see a friend on a walk - they can’t even do that.

Just to have all our family around us, together and happy! ?

That's a lovely idea by Casdon. Of course family is the most important. but for many young children seeing their friends again needs to be properly celebrated.

I searched and found this on my phone. My cousin sent it last April with the title “When It’s Over” Who would have thought back then we’d still be waiting.

Such an affectionate little family.

youtu.be/OOLcskCHFQg

Casdon

Perhaps there should be a National Children’s Day, with lots of big events, fun fairs, zoos etc all free, and stately homes opening their grounds up and putting events on - something for all the children to be enabled to attend wherever they live and whatever their circumstances, free transport for those who don’t have it. They have suffered a lot, and it would be something for all of them to remember.

I was thinking of this very thing the other day! I sent an e-mail to the National Children's Day web-site but, or course, they haven't got back to me.
Shall we start a campaign?

As soon as I’m allowed to visit, I will be on a plane to visit my grand baby in New Zealand and DS & DIL and then other son in Canada. I think a commemoration of lives lost would be appropriate when the worst of the pandemic is over, but I fear it will still grip poor nations for some time yet.

I too love casdons idea, I think the children have missed out on so much.
Over New Year, one of my granddaughters and I, made a wish list of all the things we want to do this year. Some, big days out, some quite simple, but they have missed their school friends so much, and have hardly seen their cousins the whole year.
Sadly, I feel we were a bit premature, and a lot of things will still be out of reach.
But I love the idea of the nation’s children having something special to look forward to, great idea Casdon.