As we approach the end of this lockdown we would like to let you go with a great big virtual hug. Take great care of yourselves and act responsibly, both individually and collectively so that this virus does not come back.

As a goodbye token, here is the great orchestral piece composed in 1893 by Antonín Dvorák: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95, also known as “The New World Symphony”. He composed it during a stay in the United States.

This composition seems spot on as a suggestion for all of us to look forward to our life after the long confinement caused by Covid-19 is over.

The strength of this musical work has to inspire us to bear whatever life throws at us and to remind us that nothing lasts forever. Fighting peacefully can be very effective.

This symphony can move us greatly and let us see that a different, maybe even a better world waits for us out there. But remember, nothing is achieved without an effort and without putting in something from our side.

Good luck to everyone! We sincerely hope that we never have to go through such a difficult experience ever again. Let’s take care of ourselves, help each other and above all let’s take care of our planet Earth. It’s the only one we have!

Little by little we are getting our lives back, although in many cases they will be unrecognisable. Life will demand a lot from us individually and collectively and we must be up to the challenge, day by day, eager to live and overcome new challenges.

We do not want to close this page that has been with us for almost 3 months, without first paying tribute to the many people who have been involved in making the day-to-day life of so many people caught up in Covid-19 epidemic, more bearable. Our gratitude, even if anonymous, will last forever. It is very deeply felt.

More important however is remembering those who are no longer with us. Everyone who reads this could tell us about the sadness being felt at the loss of a friend or loved one. How many tears have been shed by families who have not been able to say goodbye to their loved ones. We specially want to express our condolences to all of them and to tell them that they will always have the thoughts and support of ProDunas.

To be able to say goodbye with dignity and support a family member at the end, in their last moments, is a very human need. The loss of a loved one is overwhelming and emotional recovery is essential so as not to look backwards and be tempted to search in vain for culprits. Now is the time to face the future, to have both open hearts and arms to comfort those who need us. Big words are not necessary. Simply, your presence and your ability to listen are enough.

This pandemic has taken its toll on the weakest, the oldest, and even on the not-so-old. This bitter experience should, although it seems impossible, have taught us to realise the importance of many things that we had missed out on, even overlooked before, caught up as we were in the fast pace of the life we were leading. Perhaps now we can be more aware of others and get more involved in seeing the beauty of nature that surrounds us. We may wish to reunite with the spirituality that we were losing. Maybe we needed this break to reassess the situation and prepare for the changes that we didn’t even know were coming.

We will get over this!

We can, once again, spend time with nature, listen to it and feel united with it. Nature gives us so much and asks for nothing in return. That is why we must take maximum care of it and do our utmost to preserve it. Just sitting quietly in a dune environment and enjoying the extraordinary biodiversity can provide emotional and mental balance.

We have to be strong in the face of any adversity and challenge those who would destroy this natural treasure out of purely misguided materialism. We have to make them see the obvious and less obvious benefits of being surrounded by this beautiful environment.

Our heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who was with us during these long weeks. A thousand thanks to the Immigration and Resident Participation Services of the Town Hall, who gave all the help they could to a foreign family, powerless in the face of the unfortunate death of a relative. Their help with the subsequent repatriation to Belgium will never be forgotten.