Close your eyes and picture a scene. A group of people stand around an almost-fresh grave. The grave is almost a year old- the final resting place of a teenager. Today would have been his 18th birthday. So, today, his family and friends have taken a few hours out of their lives to gather at his graveside. They share memories and music- and each of them releases a single red balloon. You see, that was his favourite colour.

They’ve all got a million different thoughts racing through their heads as, slowly, they raise their heads and stare at the sky. The loving parents are thinking of their baby who never grew up. The sister thinks of the brother who won’t be there to see her grow up. The friends are thinking of the empty seat in their classroom where he should have been sitting. The love of his life is crying for all the things that they will never get to do together. The teacher smiles as she remembers her star student. Each of them has lost something irreplaceable. True friendship, true love, and a treasured son and brother.

Now picture the smile of a woman in love as she stares at a sky filled with very similar balloons. These are pink. They spell out ‘the question.’ Her eyes fill with happy tears as she throws her arms around the love of her life in response.

The problem here is that recent reports suggest that the Marine Conservation Society is now trying to persuade local authorities and organisers of balloon releases to do something different. Why? Well, they are arguing that balloon releases are harmful to birds and wildlife, which can die if they eat balloons. They’re also arguing that helium balloons create a pollution which is wrong and needless. So, recent news reports have suggested, some local authorities are planning to ban balloon releases.

The MCS believe that people need to think about where the balloons they release may end up. They are animal lovers, trying to protect animals and the environment, so I can see their point. But I wish they would spare a thought for the countless groups who gather at gravesides with coloured balloons to release as a loving tribute to someone special. I with they could spare a thought for the love and care that goes into organising a balloon release, for the significance of the colours chosen.

I can tell you from experience that the last thing on anyone’s mind at a funeral, memorial service or death anniversary is a dead turtle or bird. If a woman was asked what she was thinking at the sight of the balloons that spelt out her proposal, she would, no doubt, say that she was already planning her wedding.

To me, banning balloon releases would be as good as banning loving tributes or romantic proposals. I have a question for the MCS. Who’s going to miss a dead bird? Not even half of the happy guests at that woman’s wedding. Who’s going to miss a dead turtle? Not half as many people as those who are still missing the dead teenage boy.

It is, apparently, a free country. So go ahead. Pay tribute. Propose. Celebrate. Symbolise. Set those balloons free! It’s a beautiful sight. Not that I expect, or even want, every one of you to agree with me. But in my mind, people come first. The choice, though, is yours. Would you rather protect a turtle, or pay tribute to a teenager?

Sarah usually blogs at Remembering the Ability in DisAbility.