You Smile I Smile

You Smile I Smile
Sonshine: My Journey After the Loss of My Son

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Memories of Halloweens Past...

Andy always loved Halloween. He was born October 10, so he celebrated his first Halloween at the tender age of 3 weeks old. We got him a little pumpkin outfit, and he looked absolutely precious. Over the years he dressed up as many things...Superman, Vampire, Zombie, Cat. But the one that really stands out is a Mummy.

We went out and bought yards and yards of rolled-up gauze, and I must pat myself on the back here for the idea. I rolled round and round his body from head to toe. It took forever, but when we were done, he was the best Mummy ever. Andy was always such a skinny little kid, and even with clothes on underneath, he looked like a little beanpole. He was delighted with the result and so was I. The picture I have of him is one of my most cherished possessions. Take my money, my house, my job, but I will die before I let that picture go. Someday I'll scan it in so I can post it.

He was just beside himself with excitement. I can still see the delight and anticipation in his little face. We walked around the neighborhood...sprinted really. Is there any night more exciting to a child than Halloween? He carried his haul of candy from house to house. Everyone commented on his great costume, which please him to no end.

There is one unfortunate incident that night that I will never understand. We went to one house (porch light was on). When the woman answered the door, she said to my excited little boy "We don't celebrate Halloween. We're Christians and Halloween is of the devil." Of course, Andy was completely confused and didn't have a clue what she was talking about. I told her to turn her damn porch light off then. It's almost like she wanted kids to come to the door so she could chastise them and their parents with her holier-than-thou attitude. "Christian" indeed killing the joy and fun of little kids. I have strong thoughts about so-called "Christians" like her, but that's for another time.

Anyway, I told him she was an unhappy lady who didn't know how to behave as well as he did, and he was ok with that. Off for more fun and candy! We came home sometime later and inspected the haul. It was a good one. He was well pleased. We ate a few pieces, ate pumpkin seeds I had toasted, and watched a movie together. Then I tucked him in bed to dream of his exciting night.What a beautiful memory! I'm so blesssed to be able to go back to that memory whenever I want to. This year my baby was an Angel for Halloween, bless his sweet soul. Love you forever, Beautiful Boy!!!

I'll end with my favorite quote about Halloween:

Backward, turn backward,
O Time, in your flight
make me a child again
just for to-night!
~Elizabeth Akers Allen



1 comment:

  1. What a great story. I'm a huge fan of Halloween. I have also run across some of the folks who preach about Halloween being evil. Evil is as evil does. There's nothing bad at all about the joy of a child as he runs through a neighborhood giggling with anticipation of a good haul.

    Thanks so much for sharing this. It made me smile! :)

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