So today is a holiday with which I was never allowed to participate. Oh, sure, we bought candy for all the little tykes that would bang on our door, but I wasn’t permitted to travel the streets. It wasn’t our holiday.
My folks had no real knowledge of this day. Which may explain why my parents got married on October 31 1948. (It was a family joke that my mom got off her broom to marry my dad…)
When my kids were little, my wife and I let them participate. Even though they had another (better?) chance to wear costumes, collect little trinkets, and parade around. Of course, that event in March was only big in our synagogue circles, but…
My two girls had a great time choosing costumes, traipsing around, and getting candy. (It was our job as parents to examine their horde and remove all the non-kosher items that they may have collected.) But, they were always a little fearful of the holiday.
My son (who came along much, much later) was far more adventurous. So, I took him to a few neighborhoods where the parents (ok, they were more like 20- and 30-somethings enjoying the evening) decorated their homes, hid in the bushes, wore costumes, etc. And, my son had a ball.
He also wanted me to wear a costume. Not something that really intrigued me. But, I went along- of sorts.
One year, I had a colorful T-shirt printed with a great big (lower-case) e. So, I could be an eMail. (Get it- eMale…)
The next year, I chose one replete with Y’s. So, I could be the wise guy.
We even went once with a more traditional theme. (That means one we used on Purim, our version of the costume party.) My son was Moshe (Moses) and I was the Burning Bush.
What’s your choice of costume this year?
By the way, today is the start of Kidney Week. An attempt to make folks more aware of those who suffer from End Stage Renal Disease.
I like you’re punny costumes! When I was younger my mom let us trick-or-treat but some of my more conservative Christian friends didn’t take part in the holiday. My kids have always taken part but I still have friends who abstain. This year I’m going to wear a witch headband courtesy of my daughter. She requested I wear it. One year I wore a lion head/hat. It was much less majestic than it sounds. Either way, Halloween is usually a lot of fun.
Jill recently posted..Any Feedback?
A witch headband. Somehow I can’t visualize what sort of headband would render one a witch. I guess because I picture a broom, a pointy (but bendy) hat, and a drab smock as the requirements.
I hope you post a picture, Jill!
You are definitely different, Roy. Punny t-shirts? Your children were fortunate to have you as their Dad.
Alana recently posted..A Halloween Mystery
It’s how I roll, Alana…
I believe it has even led to eye rolls from my kids 🙂
(Laughing) Funny and clever t-shirt ideas. (Laughing)
Last year I was standard Dracula with the cap and all. This year, while I doubt I’ll get dressed for the holiday, was a psychopath for the local haunted house. It was a lot of fun to dress up.
My girls, aged 9 & 11, are super excited about getting out there tonight. I’m sure they’ll pull in a lot of candy to which, like you, we will look through for safety reasons…Oh, and because I like candy, too.
Have an enjoyable night!
Damond Nollan recently posted..Building Deep Within Your Passion Is Better Than Building Wide
Hmm. So, there’s a standard Dracula, Damond? What would I know!
Make sure you leave SOME candy for your girls. (I know many parents who devour the stash their kids accumulated. I hope you are not one of those!)
I am going to wear a green cape. I made illuminati for the sidewalk this year. Lots of candy. Lots of fun. But also not really our holiday. As Christians, we really only celebrate it on the surface. We don’t really have a costume-party alternative. I really enjoyed the one Purim party I went to years ago as a clown.
And, the green cape is to be the Green Arrow? I was trying to discern who it might be. A Purim party! That sounds like it could have been great fun, Melinda.
Oh, I love your stories!! How neat that you let your kids celebrate. I have no costume this year and my son decided he was done once and for all a several years ago (he’s 16 now). My favorite costume was either Diana Ross when I was 10 (I got asked to sing) or cat burglar when I was an adult.
Super!
Diana Ross… OK. She wasn’t exactly a nice person, but her voice was perfect.
(Here I thought you would always be that mermaid!)
Halloween wasn’t big in the UK till recently so don’t partake really. I did go to a party one year as a vampire. Trouble was I dyed my hair dark purple and next day looked like my Mum 20 years ago. I normally don’t resemble her very much ☺️
Janice Gill recently posted..2nd Ending, new beginnings
Thanks for the laugh, Janice!
I remember my grandma and her purple hair!!!!!!!
That’s easy. I’m working at home in my PJ’s with a note on the door not to knock because of health issues within. After a rough episode this morning the insurance finally approved my visiting the cardiologist tomorrow. I hope that will resolve some of this.
I never thought of Halloween as a Christian holiday. I never began to attach any religious significance to it until I grow up and became more aware of its history and pagan origins. I would have preferred my kids didn’t go out door-to-door, but didn’t feel it right to deprive them of the fun they had when I knew they did not consider it a religious issue. We kept them in safe neighborhoods and made sure they had supervision. The biggest rule I had was that costumes could not make dark creatures of them. No ghosts, goblins, devils, demons, etc. My son was an adorable clown. It suited him perfectly. I personally hate having to costume up.
Barbara Radisavljevic recently posted..Here’s the Caboose of the October Ultimate Blog Challenge
I actually just remembered a few years ago (ok, maybe a decade), when Marvin Hamlisch was alive, we had a Hallowwen party before a concert. And, I decided to be Julius Caesar. Except folks looked askance since the outdoor temperature was in the 20s and I was wearing (what could charitably be called) leggings, shorts, and a T-Shirt. (Of course, I had a crown, too!)
Clearly regal red and not black.
OMG I love the “y’s” guy t-shirt! Since we don’t have little ones anymore, I’m out of tune with costumes. But I remember one year when I was going around with the grands, I dressed up as Santa Claus and went up to the kids telling them I’m watching them because Christmas isn’t that far away. LOL You should have seen the looks on their faces.
Martha recently posted..Congratulations Ultimate Blog Challenge Members
That would have been hilarious to see, Martha!
Thanks for sharing that image!