Coming up on two months since the statewide stay-at-home order was put in place, we asked Chicagoans what plans they’ve had to put on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic. Some of these answers have been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.
“A trip to England, Scotland and Ireland with my father in June. He’s never been out of the country, and I was really looking forward to showing him the UK and Ireland.” — Maddi Srajer
“Our grandson’s graduation! In 2018, he came down with encephalitis and couldn’t finish school that year. He was in the hospital ICU hooked up to machines for three weeks and spent the rest of the year in rehab. He had to relearn how to read, write, walk, talk. He worked so hard to get his life back. And then!” — Bonnie Ewing Sullivan
“My daughter’s first trip to Disneyland. Being a prisoner in your home is awful.” — Kim Catherine
“I’ve had to cancel or postpone 2 trips, a convention, 3 luncheons, a retreat and a chance to see ‘Hamilton!’ So disappointed.” — Janice H. Milner
“Our daughter and her teammates lost their softball season. She was in her junior season at Northern Kentucky University, and the team was loaded. So we had to postpone them beating up UIC, which everyone in the Horizon League enjoys seeing, and postpone celebrating winning the Horizon League!” — Jon P. Mulder
“I was making arrangements to adopt a cat from my mom, who lives in another state. We’re still planning to get the cat, just waiting for the all-clear to travel and stay in a hotel. It’d be faster if people stayed home.” — Nancy Yetter Schultz
“The Cubs-Cardinals game in London in June.” — Melissa McCormack Sisco
“My daughter’s high school graduation ceremony, celebration and party. She’s been working towards this since fifth grade, when she first learned she could take AP classes in high school and what that all entailed.” — Mark Turnes
“Honeymoon, master’s degree commencement ceremony from Northwestern University, several friends’ and family weddings, a family vacation, Elton John farewell tour and more probably to come (such as a century bike event and Riot Fest in September).” — Carolyn Tomecek
“My son might have to cancel his wedding. They already canceled their honeymoon (a cruise to Italy) and a huge bachelor/bachelorette weekend. Our 30th wedding anniversary will be spent ordering food and trying to find a good movie!” — Lisa Sullivan Larson
“Annual physical and dental cleaning.” — Brina Karnava
“A trip to Paris with my husband.” — Chris Jacobs Clark
“My Mother’s Day weekend in Vegas!” — Yvette Coleman-Pitts
“50th birthday trip to Puerto Rico!” — Tonee Sayeh
“Starting my new job with First Transit was put on hold because I was dealing with COVID-19. With me being a musician, a lot of gigs I had lined up were canceled.” — Keith R. King
“Hosting a quadruple baby shower, going to my nieces’ graduation (one from high school and one from college), several concerts and a trip to watch the Cubs in London.” — Rona Sarah Tosino Pankey
“We were to renew our vows in June in Florida for our 25th anniversary, my sister’s 20th anniversary and my parent’s 50th anniversary, all happening in 2020.” — Tricia Roegner Despres
“My daughter’s eighth-grade graduation, car season shows/meets, family vacation to Florida to see my dad.” — Amarilys Reyes
“My trip to the Holland tulip festival.” — Kelly McConnell
“Getting to meet my newborn niece and a much-needed and overdue post-deployment vacation with my husband!” — Elaine Moore Mott
“Meeting my newest grandson Jaxon in Missouri. He was born on March 20.” — Ninah Moore
“Law school graduation and the Bar.” — Jer’Ron Dinwiddie
“A welcome-home party for my son after his deployment.” — Donna Dessart
“My newborn baby girl hasn’t met her grandparents, aunt and uncle, who love her.” — Imelda Guerra
“Too many Phish concerts.” — Jason Roach
“My mom’s wake and funeral.” — Mary Reckert Geller
“Sunday morning worship at the church. Miss you, Third Baptist.” — Ruby Jones
“Dating.” — Tonja Coats
