Halloween...Boo!

I was raised with American Northeast Halloween style. I went to a tiny Catholic school and learned a Halloween song from the nuns. I dressed in a home-made princess (young child) or witch (older child) costumes. I went trick-or-treating with my brother and friends. We would sing a song to get a treat, and no I never personally did tricks (although I can't vouch for my brother or friends.)

As an adult I wandered west and away from the Catholic Church. Before I headed back to both, I had some time to learn a few things about how others lived their values, with Halloween as an example. I had never given Halloween much thought but being a brand new mommy gave me incentive to think, because like my peers, we wanted to do right by our young children keeping gentleness in mind. I became friends with many intense and thoughtful people...no sheep here. Some friends were liberal secular thinkers. Their beliefs were well-intentioned, thoughtful, and interesting. Halloween was out because it was unsophisticated, too dark, and it bought into our superficial culture. I became friends with many conservative faithful thinkers. Their beliefs were well-intentioned, basic, and passionate. Halloween was out because it was "the work of the devil." I wrestled with Halloween, feeling both confused and apathetic. You see, Halloween wasn't my favorite holiday as a child. I didn't like much candy, I was very shy, and I didn't like scary things. Skipping Halloween altogether had some appeal. Yet, it my memory it was a simple day that was fun and sweet. Nothing more...nothing less.

Once back in the Church, I realized that I had absorbed a very Catholic perspective on Halloween. For a child and adult who never cared much for Halloween, I now found myself defending it, much to my surprise. Within the context of Halloween/All Saints/All Souls day, Halloween make sense. The trick (no pun intended) is to not make it more or less than it is. It isn't a holiday that deserves weeks of planning, decorating, and celebrating. It doesn't need to be about money, gore, and evil. It isn't a holiday that needs to be ignored or rejected because this gives it too much power.

Each year looks different for our family. This year our family will decorate our home outside in classic spooky style. Some of us will trick-or-treat while others stay home with littles and hand out treats from our home. We will dress up in classic and original style...princesses, pirates, witches, clowns, spooky guys, cowboys, Lord of the Rings, Teenage werewolf from the 50's, hippy, animals, hobos, and more. Our boys will spend much of their time at a neighbor's home who does an exceptional job of decorating his garage as a haunted house, scary enough for bigger kids and adults while tame enough on one side for littles. When every thing is over, the children will dump their candy on the table and swap with each other for favorites. We'll put some away for Christmas stockings. I'll make some spiced cider and serve Halloween cookies. Tomorrow morning we'll get up early and take down all the decorations and pack them away for next year. Sweet.

Next? Bring on the great stuff. Let All Saints, All Souls, and the month of remembering our dead, begin.