From House Wife To Film Maker

Halloween. Long ago memories wrap around me like a snuggly blanket. Faded memories of carefully examining every costume from among the matching boxes that lined the shelves. Then and only then did I make my choice picking the one that was just for me. Then came the waiting. Time seemed to inch by. Daily I would ask, “How many more days till Halloween?” I would nearly bust from waiting till I was able to slip the costume over my arms and shoulders and stretch the mask’s super, skinny elastic around the back of my head, and position it onto my face.

Finally Halloween day arrived and I brought my costume to school for the parade in the gym. Then, still fully dressed, back to our classrooms for our party, the beginning of the delicious sugar load. Once the bell sounded, I scurried home with great urgency, as if the faster and earlier I arrived it would push the hands of time ahead making it time for Trick or Treating when I got there. Five minutes after I got home I teased about what time it was, how long was that before it was time, could we start early, could we go to Grandma’s so I could show her my costume? And we did. Grandma, always the first to christen the bottom of my sack.

I love this! Fun!

Finally the time would arrive. Street lights glowing a warm yellow, cast a hint of eeriness adding to the aura of the occasion. The darkness would be filled with a deep chill requiring my heaviest pants, good old jeans, knee socks, and long sleeved shirt. I always at least tried to pull my costume over my fall jacket. But even if it didn’t fit I was going out, a sweater would have to do. The cold of the night wasn’t holding me hostage inside my house. Not when I had my new terrific costume and candy just waiting for me.

All dressed and ready I was out the door, bag grasped firmly in hand. I would locate my friends from the kids milling out on the street and with my mom trailing behind with the other mother’s, I would race from door adding my shout to the chorus, “Trick or Treat,” and gathering large quantities of delicious morsels of candy from every door that shone their light, beckoning us to come. It was always so disappointing to come to a house whose doorway was shrouded in darkness. I always felt a small twinge, and not just for myself and the loss of a candy opportunity. That dark doorway just seemed to illuminate sadness. Whoever dwelt inside didn’t want to enjoy the festivities that surrounded them.

Theresa Jane
-who is feeling all nostalgic and again counting the days till Halloween, when I get to be the mom trailing behind

Tags: costumes, Halloween, memories, trick or treat

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