I have never been a fan of Halloween. I’m a fan of fun-size chocolate treats, and I like a creative costume as much as anyone; but I’ve never been comfortable with this “holiday.” There’s just nothing classy or consequential about Halloween. Give me Christmas or the Fourth of July instead; heck, I’d even take New Year’s Eve over Halloween.
Ok, so that’s my snobby, throwaway reason for not being pro-Halloween. The real reason? I figure there’s enough real darkness and evil and death and scariness in the world. We see it everywhere, every day. I don’t need a special 24-hour period to celebrate it and wink at it. Oh, isn’t the idea of a restless spirit, wicked witch or deranged killer charming? Thrilling? Yeah, no. Shocker: I’ve always avoided scary movies and haunted houses. When I’m at Walgreen’s, I purposely steer clear of the aisle with plastic bats and hanging phantoms and cheap masks. Darkness and fear? No, thank you. I am a light-lover. At this juncture, I could get all deep and theological, but no one really cares, so I will stop and stay at the surface.
When I was little, I remember dressing up as a princess, a gypsy and a doctor. The last time I dressed up as an adult, I was Elle Woods from “Legally Blonde.” Nothing freaky or ghoulish here, folks. This girl kept it light and upbeat! This was my way to not take it all so seriously (my natural inclination) and be a part of the fun. After all, it isn’t all doom and gloom; I get the fantasy/aspirational aspect of it.
This year, my 1-year-old son was “with it” enough to participate in Halloween festivities. The evening included trick-or-treating (showing him off) at my husband’s office and trick-or-treating (showing him off) in the neighborhood, wrapping up with a low-key get-together at a friend’s house with other adults with young children. Mommy was exhausted, but pizza and wine gave her the second wind she needed. The party broke up before 9 p.m.
Luke loves puppies. And by “loves,” I mean I have strategically placed puppies in his life to endear him. His room has a puppy theme. His first birthday had a puppy theme. There was no question as to what he would be for Halloween. (Mommy loves a cohesive theme).
Can you even stand it? The unbearable cuteness?! I know I’m biased, but I’d say he really pulled it off with panache.
Not every moment of the evening was sugar and sunshine. There were some tears. There were some frigid fingers as the temperature dipped. He gave us the “You people are idiots” look a few times. But overall, I think he was into it.
It was something brand new. He walked up to doors. He got to touch and take things he’d never seen before. He met new people. And he stayed up way past his bedtime playing with his buddies. That’s a pretty great day for a toddler, right?
I definitely had more fun celebrating Halloween as a new mom than I ever had as a kid or young adult. What I was doing (sort of) mattered; we helped him add another new life experience to his running list.
I still don’t like Halloween’s dark undertones; but this year, I found my bright spot. It had a collar and a tail and left me all the Kit-Kats.
Thanks, little pup.
Sarah Weller 