Halloween is always a time of reflection for me. I think it's because it's the one holiday in my mind that really marks the passage of time. We have our family traditions; some have gone by the wayside while others have survived the test of time. When our kids were much younger, I used to make these ghosts out of sheets and newspaper and have them stand in a circle in our front yard. My son, about five at the time, would sit there and talk to these ghosts for hours and sing and play games with them. I often wondered what exactly he was talking about with them!
That tradition somehow got lost over the years but our annual pumpkin carving has definitely not. Each year, the kids would pick out their own pumpkin. We'd make our annual trip to "Pumpkin Town" when we lived in CT and pick out the pumpkins.
We'd then come home and each child would pick out an image to carve. Over the years, Gary did less of the carving and the kids did more – much to Gary's relief! Even with two in college now, we still managed to carve three pumpkins this year. It's a tradition I don't think we'll ever stop. Plus, Gary who is not known for his cooking skills makes the BEST roasted pumpkin seeds!
My brother started a tradition with the kids many years ago mailing them a box of Halloween treats and he still continues that tradition, now creating three boxes to make sure even my oldest two in college are still part of the fun. He cleverly wraps each box and fills it with every Halloween gadget and treat you could think of. The kids eagerly await the delivery of this Halloween Box each year and this year was no exception!
The costumes have definitely changed over the years as well, from princesses and warriors to athletes and scream masks. This year, my youngest daughter and her friend went as Smurfs while my 9th grader reluctantly realized she is now "too old" to trick or treat and stayed with us to help hand out candy.
I can't help but think it was just yesterday she was skipping down the driveway with her plastic pumpkin in hand heading off for her first trick or treat adventure and now she sits next to us only a few years shy of becoming an adult.
Yes, Halloween really marks the passage of time for me more so than any other holiday. My oldest two are now in college and I wonder how they're spending this night. No longer am I holding their hand as we ring door bells and soon enough, we'll be that family with all the kids grown up. The one thing that remains are the traditions we've created and it's heartwarming to know those traditions will continue to be a part of our Halloween celebration for many more years to come!
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What wonderful memories! We too have marked a milestone in Halloween celebrations. Our one and only went out on his own this year. It was a relief when he and his 5 friends came bounding up the stairs trick-or-treating at home, looking for some much needed water to carry them on the the 2nd half of their night. It felt odd not to have one of us out with him, but the series of phone calls from the other "stay at home" parents letting us know that the kids had just been by made it all a little easier! Enjoy having one more trick-or-treater – at least for a little while, then enbrace whatever comes next. Looking forward to your next blog!
You brought tears to my eyes, Karen! I am so glad you savor all these meaningful traditions (and keep all the pictures)! Lots of love, Aunt Sandy