“Once a year we get dressed up in costumes to celebrate fear. The very thing that paralyzes us we celebrate.” This quote is from last seasons show The Office. James Spaders character Robert California talked about fear and how we let it run our lives, conversations and relationships. I loved the irony of it so much that I paused the show several times so I could write it down. I don’t know what I did before DVR.
My group of friends is mixed when the topic of Halloween comes up in conversation. Some are passionate about it like I am and others loathe it. My husband for one hates it, but is a good sport about dressing up every year for my friends Halloween party. Another good friend has a bad childhood memory of it that still haunts her. Halloween fell on a Sunday one year and her Dad decided it should be cancelled and celebrated on Monday. The problem was not everyone was in agreement with this decision. Her and her brothers and sisters were the only ones trick or treating on Monday and everyone was out of candy from the day before. I have to admit, I wouldn’t be too keen on Halloween if that had happened to me.
I have fond memories of Halloween. I was raised by a mother who loves Halloween and is very creative. She made our costumes every year. My mother would start planning our Halloween costumes in July. Little Red Riding Hood is a perennial favorite of hers. I was Little Red twice during my childhood and my mother has donned a red cape and golden locks at least three times that I know of. She is 72 and still makes her own Halloween costume. This year she is having a party and going as half man and half woman from a singer she saw on a you tube video. Unfortunately I don’t sew therefore it can be challenging coming up with a costume. I think some of the best costumes are homemade even if it’s out of a cardboard box which we have done a few times.
Halloween isn’t about pagan worship or being fearful to me. It’s about being amazed by people’s creativity and pretending to be someone else for a day. The free candy isn’t too bad either. What are you planning to be this Halloween?
i’ve actually been thinking of dressing up this year. not sure why since my kiddos have outgrown it, but i think perhaps because it’s a bit of a year of rediscovering myself. how ironic to rediscovery myself in pretending to be someone else! lol
I say go for it Gina. You may discover something about yourself in the process.
The little boy in that picture is so cute. The girls are just OK.
Don’t forget….mom dressed me up as “Goldilocks” one year. Traumatized ever since.
My problem with Halloween is not coming up with an idea, but rather executing. I have no time to be putting something together that I will wear once, especially if it will cost me a lot of money to do it. Heck, sometimes I can’t even figure out where people GET the stuff they wear.
He is pretty cute what happened to him? It can be a creative challenge coming up with a costume that doesn’t cost a lot of money. Julie is pretty creative and thrifty. I think that’s why Mom always starts planning her costume in July.