At Easter, I can cope without church and chocolate. But how I miss people | Barbara Ellen

A second year in lockdown reminds us this is a time to appreciate others

Hands up everybody who's been thinking about the meaning of Easter. Apart from the church, and other than true Christian believers, has anybody thought of Easter at all? I had to be reminded that it was Good Friday. Even in non-pandemic times, I probably wouldn't even remember Easter if it weren't for school holidays and chocolate eggs appearing in shops. If you're not devout, Easter just doesn't cut through as a religious event.

Christmas has long been scorned as a grotesque display of vapid commercialism, but even the irreligious play along with festive rituals. They go to church services, sing along misty-eyed to carols, explain to children that it isn't all about presents. Forget all that with Easter. The crucifixion and resurrection barely register. It says it all that Jewish people have complained about the Church of England giving advice (now withdrawn) for a symbolic" meal that sounded suspiciously like the Passover Seder ritual. Has the church given up trying to get across the message of Easter?