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Original poster

Nearly crying in theatre

138 replies

4pmwinetimebebeh · 12/12/2021 17:51

We went to the theatre today with our 3 young kids to watch a Christmas show. It was so lovely, so well done, kids all loved it. At the end as it was wrapping up and the kids were all clapping and cheering and joining in I was just overcome with this huge wave of sadness. That we are all sitting in masks, that we couldn’t do this last year and overwhelmingly that this might be the last time we could do this in a while as things seem to be going to shit again. I had a huge lump in my throat and tears in my eyes and had to really control myself so I didn’t burst into tears.

I don’t want this to trigger anyone but I think we are all just really struggling with the uncertainty and potential for further restrictions again. I was so excited for Christmas and now the potential for another lockdown etc in the New Years has just ruined any good mood I had and I feel sad, anxious and on the verge of tears.

Just a shout out in case anyone is the same. It’s shit.

OP posts:
Lucyinthesky07 · 12/12/2021 21:05

I'm crying due to my son having been in another type of theatre this week, leading to another referral within a 2 week wait for more investigations, but who knows what could happen now Omicron has taken hold on life.

HeronLanyon · 12/12/2021 21:08

Oh lucy support. And now the Army with a new domestic ‘theatre’ too.

Original poster
4pmwinetimebebeh · 12/12/2021 21:09

I’m so sorry @Lucyinthesky07 I hope your son is ok

OP posts:
TiddlesTheTiger · 12/12/2021 21:12

@WonderfulYou

Many people like to be in control and feel helpless when they’re not. Try and do and think about things that are in your control and it will make you feel better.
I am doing that. But so many things that should be in my control - simple things like having a get together with friends or planning a child's party - are not in my control.

Most situations are made a bit more bearable by social contact but that is just what we can't have.

Tumbleweed101 · 12/12/2021 21:12

We performed our nursery nativity last week. Parents wore masks, windows were open etc and we filmed it so anyone who felt uncomfortable coming in would still get to see it. But we got such lovely feedback from the parents, many of whom haven't been inside the nursery since March 2020. Some had never been inside before except for their initial look around. They loved seeing inside and the displays on the wall and many said that the Christmas play was one of those moments that were so special to see in the early years. Made me a bit tearful too hearing how much it had meant to them that we decided to go ahead.

ZebraF · 12/12/2021 21:15

@Aroundtheworldin80moves

I'm already dreading DDs birthday in March. She hasn't had a party for two years now. Her 7th got cancelled last minute (in fact her 7th birthday was the last 'normal' day we had, her party should have been a few days later). Her 8th we couldn't organise due to lockdown. The thought of not having one for her ninth birthday... its the one thing that is breaking me. Her birthday is linked to the whole situation on my mind.

We were at the Panto on Saturday. The mask felt normal. Sad

I have a March birthday child too. Her 4th birthday party was cancelled a few days before when they announced the first lockdown, last year she was allowed 2 friends in our garden plus their mums, with the “rule of six”. Most of her close friends have summer or autumn birthdays and have all had parties since then. If she misses out again it will be heartbreaking,
LadyCleathStuart · 12/12/2021 21:15

I felt very emotional at the end of the Panto we went to last week. It just felt so happy and the children were enjoying themselves so much, we were just starting to get the doom and gloom messages again so I was just happy that we actually got to go.

Vroomed · 12/12/2021 21:24

Maybe I’m made of stone but I don’t feel emotional at all. I don’t feel much is being asked of us. I’m happy to work at home, wear a mask when out and about and grateful to have the vaccine etc. This won’t go on forever and I’m trying to be resilient. There are plenty of people who have/are experiencing significant suffering because of the pandemic. I have immense empathy for them. Maybe I’m not completely made of stone!

Original poster
4pmwinetimebebeh · 12/12/2021 21:26

That’s great @Vroomed ❤️ My sadness is entirely around my children, if I didn’t have kids I think I’d be doing fine especially at the moment!

OP posts:
Original poster
4pmwinetimebebeh · 12/12/2021 21:27

By at the moment I mean while we still have many freedoms. Lockdown for single people/living alone would have been hard.

OP posts:
TheWelshposter · 12/12/2021 21:31

@TheVampiresWife

I get it, OP.

I had a similar moment this week. In the run up to Christmas I always (pre 2020!) take a 'day off' for myself before the madness begins. I get the bus (it's a famously scenic route) to a little market town about 20 miles away. While I'm there I have some lunch, do a bit of shopping and get the bus back as it's getting dark so I can see all the Christmas lights in the lovely little villages the bus passes through.

For some reason that annual trip became totemic last year when I couldn't go. It sort of crystallised all that was different and all that I was missing. It sounds silly but I was genuinely really, really upset by not going - but more than because of what it symbolised rather than the trip itself, iyswim.

I'm CV and had pretty much resigned myself to not going this year either, despite the fact that until about two weeks ago I was, and was so excited. The disappointment when I realised it was probably for the best to skip it again this year was crushing. But I woke up on Thursday morning, it was a beautiful clear crisp day, and I thought, fuck it. The bus is always almost empty, the town itself is sleepy, and I've already given up practically everything I love this year. So I went.

I had an absolutely gorgeous day. But on the way home it struck me that a) I was so, so grateful for being able to do it but b) it may be the last time I'd do anything else like it for months. Also how something I took so for granted in the past was now such A Thing. I was pretty overwhelmed and suddenly couldn't stop crying. On the bus. Like a twat.

So, yeah. Totally understand how you feel. It's horrible.

Flowers

This is so lovely, the whole trip sounds beautiful. I'm really glad you got to go again 😊
Sebastianthecoo · 12/12/2021 21:39

I was crying quietly today when we took the DC to the cinema and out for lunch, I couldn’t shake the idea this would be the last ‘normal’ thing for a while.

I suppose part of it was worrying about what’s ahead at work, after two shifts in a row where I just felt like I was letting everyone down the thought of another wave of Covid patients is just a bit much to think about along with all the usual family Christmas madness.

Busybee5000 · 12/12/2021 21:45

Ive had tears in my eyes at so many things this year, including being in the theatre and seeing everyone clapping and happy etc, I can’t seem to stop!! But yes, even more emotional right now in case things close etc. On the plus side, we are in a much better place with tests and vaccines so let’s hope it doesn’t come to closure - maybe social distancing again - argh!!

OnwardsAndSideways1 · 12/12/2021 22:22

I don't think this is a bad thing, it's just that mix of emotions, being with people you love, doing things you love, and the uncertainty of the future. I've definitely enjoyed seeing people more lately, perhaps it is that feeling that it might all slip away.

batmanladybird · 12/12/2021 23:06

@Lalalablahblahblah

I feel the same. We were so looking forward to Christmas this year after the shit show last year and we had so many fun things booked for the kids. Christmas light shows, panto, santa visits, Christmas parties then the kids tested positive for covid so we've had to cancel everything. Waiting for dh and I to get it now the n that's Christmas out (we're meant to be having everyone at ours) then a potential ockdown straight after Christmas Sad
This is me tbh
velvetalmond · 13/12/2021 00:08

I went to a couple of concerts for children this weekend and I had a tear in my eye at both, although for me it was more positive - to see the dc (and adults) have a great time, the performers enjoying being on stage and just enjoying that shared experience in a live performance. Last year we were lucky and had booked Christmas things quite early (end Nov) so my DD had the chance to see Santa and a theatre show before lockdown, but there were still other shows and light trails that we had to cancel.

There might be more restrictions coming but for me I'm just trying to make sure my dc have the chance to do normal things when we can.

Whu020 · 13/12/2021 17:33

You cried cos it's not normal

Pliudev · 13/12/2021 17:50

I feel the sameOP. I haven't been to any Christmas events but have been kidding myself it's all going to be ok. It isn't. My youngest DS rang yesterday to say 4 colleagues have tested positive. He's 27 so hasn't been able to get the booster yet and even if his PCR is negative, may not be able to get it before he's due to come home on the 23rd. My DH is in what I think is the early stages of dementia (yet to be confirmed) but the thought of just the two of us on CD is breaking me up.

NeverForgetYourDreams · 13/12/2021 17:59

I try not to think about it. Otherwise I will have a little cry for my DS15 who faces the prospect of failing GCSEs and not able to get to college to do his dream because if things kick off he's got no assessments to use for teacher grades apart from the end of lockdown year 10 grades which were appalling

Just had a mini cry writing this.

euronorris · 13/12/2021 18:14

I had a similar response to my daughters nativity last week. I was fine until we got to the end abs everybody clapped, really enthusiastically. Including me. And then I was just overcome with emotion, as they missed the nativity last year, so this was her first one really. I stopped myself from sobbing but a couple of tears still escaped!

twilightermummy · 13/12/2021 18:42

I felt exactly this way last night at the o2. A poster up thread said it makes things feel all the more poignant and, I think that hits the nail on the head.
I’m crossing all my fingers and toes that I get to take the children to see The Nutcracker next week.

HarrietsweetHarriet · 13/12/2021 18:42

I doubt I will go to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve as I'll make an idiot of myself sobbing through the carols. Weve lost four family members to Covid including both my husband 's parents just weeks apart. We are devastated as a family and have no faith in the government or its so-called 'guidance ' going forward.

anwensmummy · 13/12/2021 18:42

Yes, feeling this so much. I’m a professional singer and it’s been such a difficult time for everyone in our industry, it’s been such a joy to have shows and concerts opening again. We are all so worried it’s going to be shut down again, it’s scary on so many levels, the fear of the virus itself of course but also our livelihoods and our mental health. Sending hugs from the other side of the stage lights xx

YoureStillOnMute · 13/12/2021 18:48

I totally understand how everyone is feeling and a few things are helping me get through it:

1 - All of this doesn't seem to be affecting my kids (7 and 9) in the slightest. We know what they're missing, but they don't know what they're missing, so I try to see life through their eyes if that makes sense.

2 - I am working on the vaccination programme, not in the giving the jabs sense but in the recording of vaccination data sense. Because of this we get early sight of what's coming down the pike because we need to make accommodations in our systems for the new data/warnings, etc. So I take some comfort that are a shit-ton of very clever people making good, informed decisions and no one hears about the work they do. Apart from how Boris and Co make it look, there are good people looking out for us.

3 - I know if I start crying, I'll never stop. My dad died right before Covid, my beloved step-mother died a few months ago, and I still haven't grieved for either of them. Because I know if I start, it'll be so hard to stop.

Thinking of all of you right now.

GinPin2 · 13/12/2021 18:50

My daughter and I were going to my grandaughter's special needs school for their show on Wednesday. Obviously has been cancelled now. Those teachers would have had a very difficult day today explaining to those children. I have not seen her today, but I do know that my grandaughter has been super excited about Mummy and Nana coming to hear her solo. Sad
Sad but it is the right decision.