Halloween

My memories of Halloween consisted of getting dressed up like a vagabond or a gypsy and walking for blocks with fallen leaves around our ankles as we walked on the sidewalks. We smeared charcoal on our faces and got in our mother's or father's old clothes to come up with a costume. I am amazed at the elaborate costumes that are available today from infants to adults. Maybe it is another aspect of making everything so organized. We used to skate on the sidewalks with clamp on skates, always having a skate key around our neck on a string. Now children skate at skating rinks. Games were played in the yard or on the sidewalks, now they are on organized teams. And this business of the little girls being dressed up with make-up and sparkle and crowns. I don't know, but it scares me. Of course, little girls have always dressed up but in mother's old high heels and old prom dresses. But, on Halloween, we can all escape. I wonder if this is part of the appeal. We can act out our suppressed personality. We can even disguise who we are so that people relate to us in a totally different way than usual. Children can become their favorite hero with an elaborate costume. The web has made so many of the fancy costumes available. My oldest grandson one year was a sumo wrestler, with an inflated costume. He could barely walk but it was fun. Another grandson this year is Chris Johnson, his favorite Titan's football player. One of my toddler grandsons is a dragon with an adorable costume. At least with the fancy costumes, they are wearing them more to parties and this year our children are invited to wear them to church. My children went to a Catholic school and they had a parade down a city street. The Nun, Sister Mary Anne, always tried to encourage them to dress like their favorite saint. But, really, that just doesn't meet the fantasy need to be something that you always want to be but can't possibly in reality. I'm not crazy about the older children who do the scary costumes and masks. Discourage your children from doing that, Trick or Treat is for little children and that can be frightening. One family in my daughter's neighborhood did an elaborate Halloween yard display with teenagers jumping out with chain saws. It frightened my grandson so that he ran out into the street. I am thankful that no cars were coming. Also, if you are pregnant, you are definitely too old. I think that most children get a few pieces of candy; we used to fill a pillow case and not stop until we did. But, it is always fun and has spread into the banks, restaurants and dentist office. Enjoy it and remember to see the fantasy in your child's eyes.