Halloween is in the House!

It’s no secret that I simply adore Halloween. My longing for a deeper sense of community and excitement is satiated in the hubbub of door-to-door visits and exotic costumes. I love the warm rustic fall foliage and the  sweet aroma of pumpkin spice candles permeating the home. Sitting by a big cozy fire on a dark spooky night, and Autumn leaves fluttering in the breeze outside, sugary treats and hot chocolate…Kids knocking on the door, dogs barking, smiles all around, and happy happy faces. Halloween is indeed a sugary treat for the heart and soul!

You will NEVER see the following in my Halloween home — skulls, skeletons, demons, eye balls, snakes, vipers, tombstones, or vomit — never! Only pretty stuff. I respect the dead and think they should be allowed to rest in peace. I love the social aspect of Halloween, the candies, colour, pumpkin pies, and generosity of the occasion. When I dress up, it is usually a fantasy trip that makes me feel beautiful. You would never catch me wearing a big fat baby diaper or dressing as a clown! I tend to gravitate towards the Cleopatra-style or exotic belly dancer costumes. Unfortunately, with the passage of time, my belly now dances by itself — so I’ll forget that one this year!!

I first became enraptured with Halloween when I arrived in Northern Alberta all those years ago. In the darkness of my surroundings, it was a beacon of light and hope. Fort McMurray had a harsh winter climate and people tended to hide themselves away indoors. Garages were attached to homes so people never had a chance to engage socially with each other, the only exception being Halloween. Doors were flung wide open to welcome trick ‘n treaters and parents alike. I loved the colour, excitement, and fun of it all.

My first Canadian Halloween was a disaster. I never realized how huge Halloween was in Canada and I ran out of candy in the first hour! The door bell kept ringing non-stop and I had nothing left, despite the fact every secret stash of candy in the house had been handed out. A very kind neighbour sent her kids up with giant bags of candy knowing I was in distress, and would not take a penny for it. What a sweet thing to do!

I remember with joy all the fun my kids had when they were little; the rituals of emptying their bags and dividing the candies into different piles, smarties in one corner, kit kats and aero bars in another. Once neatly arranged and counted, they would give Mama and Papa bear first choice of the pickings!! Sometimes they came home with toothbrushes from the dentist across the street! One elderly lady in the neighbourhood used to make up beautiful little bags of orange and black jelly beans — a delight in every sense of the word. The stories the girls brought home from their travels were as sweet as the candies in their pumpkin adorned bags.

Now, I feel it is my turn — or rather my heart duty — to return some of the joy and generosity my kids received when they were little, to other kids. I know they will remember it for the rest of their lives. At the end of the day — it’s not about the candy — it’s about the LOVE!

Wishing you all a Sweet Halloween!

Hugs,
Patricia xxx