Lucas is yelling at me to turn up the volume on the TV. Hubby is lying on the couch after an evening with Captain Morgan. And I'm channelling all my limited energy to fight the red wine haze in order to put together a much needed cup of strong black tea.
In other words, we had a really good Hallowe'en.
I've never really been into Hallowe'en. As a kid, it always felt more like an obligation. While other kids put together intricate costumes, I donned an off-the-rack plastic Smurfette mask, and was no less happy about it. As the only kid in the family, it would be my dad driving me house to house as I ran up the long driveways in the pitch black dark and rain to fetch my treats, or alternatively, it was my brother (eight years older), begrudgingly taking me while dressed in army fatigues garnishing a shot gun which he used to scare off any other kids. And as a teen and young adult, I was just happy not to participate but pickup the 1/2 price Reece cups on November 1st.But things change when you become a parent and the social obligation to participate in Hallowe'en is non-negotiable. So this year, we fully invested.
There was pumpking patching, and the picking out of gourds from the very field then daintily carrying them to the car (suburban folk that we are and not so keen on dirtying any hands). And then the carving of the jack `o lantern, where Hubby and boy scooped out guts while Mommy googled how to roast pumpkin seeds to meet our boy's demand (even though he pronounced not as good as the ones from daycare). Then there were cookies to make - bats and pumpkins and ghosts - and a cookie station to man at Lucas' friends amazing Hallowe'en party. And dragging Grandma along for the cookie ride to make it fun rather than causing my usual level of stress.
When Hallowe'en morning arrived, I was giddy as a kid on Christmas, thrilled to don my pirate costume and head to work. Hubby caught the fever and scared us half to death walking into the kitchen in full Star Wars clone trooper uniform. And Lucas - a cow of course.A few hours later, the cow was running hand in hand with his BFF, the pink princess from house to house while Hubby adopted the princess' brother - another clone trooper. We couldn't stop the kids from tearing across the complex and up the stairs, so much excitement in the air. Then came the thrill of examining their stashes dumped out in three piles on the black shag carpet, while Moms poked through the candy for safety and taste-testing purposes.
Once candy-high, the kids submerged downstairs and the grown up party began. Princess & clone trooper's mom outdid herself again with Hallowe'en themed appies. Laughter and liquids flowed as neighbours arrived, and stories are shared, and innuendos are giggled over.And we stayed too late. And we drank too much. And it was a school night after all. But for a few hours, when we were supposed to be on a diet, we let go. For a few hours, we put aside our work-stress, ditched the seriousness, and let loose.
Because we were with friends who are as close as family, and who don't judge us for our inconsistencies, or laugh when my thigh high pirate leggings fall down, or feel weird when Hubby starts doling out shoulder massages. They create this magical place for us, where we can, for an evening, be a pirate and a clone trooper, and leave the rest of the world and its worries behind.
I think I finally like Hallowe'en.
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A) that vegetable skeleton thing is a masterpiece!
ReplyDeleteB) It does sound like GREAT fun. When Tenley and Wayne were Lucas's age it all felt like so much work - the costumes, the candy inspection, the praying no one would get run over, etc. etc. but this year I sent my teenager off to a friend's and my son was the one with the gun freaking little kids out. Made me nostalgic for the earlier years. :-)
Wow, I've never had anything dedicated to me ... except maybe my wedding day, but that was a loooong 10 years ago, lol! Thanks, Liesl :)
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your piece, I have realized that one of the signs of true friendship is that both parties feel like THEY are the ones who benefits most, that THEY are the ones who hit the jackpot with the friendship.
I dreaded this Halloween. Could be the weeks of planning for Jared's birthday on the 14th, or maybe work stress, or maybe just the rainy fall blues. I just wished I could skip it this year.
We grudgingly carved pumpkins on the night before, at one stage even screaming at the kids (who had lost interest and was playing upstairs)to "Get down here! We are doing this for you, you know!" Not my proudest moment.
The day of the 31st, I compared our bare front porch to our neighbours' spookily decorated houses, and Rob and I dragged ourselves to the dollar store to buy spider webs and a gravestone, grumbling at how overpriced everything is.
And no, I hadn't even decided what food to make for that night, even though I invited a handful of people over! There was some serious Googling and last minute Save-On runs going on.
It all changed when you guys arrived and we started trick or treating. The excitement in the air was intoxicating. Seeing Lucas and Jamie dart from house to house amidst squeals of delight warmed my heart.
But it was when we came back to the house, surrounded by some of the people most dear to us,that the evening actually became one of the most memorable ever.
Thank you for staying too late...WITH us.
Thank you for drinking too much...WITH us.
Thank you for giggling too loud...WITH us.
Because if you were anybody other than the awesome friends you are, we would have been in bed by 10, saying "Thank goodness it's over", and already dreading the next Halloween.
You say that we created a magical space for you. I think you are wrong ... a very ordinary space was simply transformed into something special ... by some very magical people ... you :)
And there is NOTHING weird about a good shoulder massage!