I remember my most favorite costume was a beautiful princess dress, with layers and layers of crinoline. I remember a beautiful tiara and cute little shoes. I don't know what happened to that dress, I just remember I had never worn anything quite so wonderful. I remember how for a couple hours, I could be a princess.
I remember trick-or-treating on nights so cold we needed heavy coats, and nights so warm we were sweating in our masks.
We never saw the horror side of Halloween. But I was aware that it could be just on the next block, or around the next corner.
My son's favorite holiday is Halloween (if Halloween is a holiday). Maybe it was because he was due on Halloween. He's always been a bit of a Devil.
When he was little we didn't have money for elaborate costumes, but he was always in a great get-up. Once he was a hobo. He had a pair of jeans that were just too short enough and a plaid shirt, face make-up to perfection. I have to smile every time I see that picture. He loved that costume.
Then there was the time when he was a teen-ager and had been invited to a Halloween Party. I remember asking him repeatedly if it was a costume party. His answer was an emphatic "Yes, Mom". We worked for hours on his face make-up. He was the best Grimm Reaper at the party. In fact, he was the only Grimm Reaper at the party. Oh, and he was the only one in costume at the party. But it was a great costume.
One year he sat in the rocking chair on the front porch of our house in Virginia, and dressed in some elaborate costume, waited quietly until the kids came to the door and then proceeded to scare the beegeebees out of them. We had such fun that night. (disclaimer: no children were hurt in the elaborate production)
Our sons are now grown and live in distant states with their children. I know we will see many pictures of our grand kids happily scouring the neighborhoods for candy, but it will not be the same as having them approach the door, showing off their "bestest" costume, knowing that Grandmommy and Grandaddy will have something special for them.
We now live in a community where the little trick-or-treaters do not come. Halloween is a little sad for me. I sit with my witches hat on, a pour of cider in my wine glass and look at my plastic pumpkin candy dish just sitting on the counter, waiting for a little hand to reach in to see what treasures it might hold.
Oh well, more Snickers for me :).................. and where is that bottle of wine?
