It’s Halloween, Ya’ll!

The day is finally here. The kid had trouble sleeping last night, because she’s very excited about all the fun that will happen today. Not only does she get to wear her costume to school, she’s going as Coraline, but this year her parents are joining in on the fun and going as Coraline’s parents. We’ll get an early dinner, and then meet up with friends and do a group Trick or Treating tonight. And right before the grownup’s invade the streets of New York to have their fun, we’ll get a cab home to avoid all the shenanigans. It will be a late night, with a possible tummy ache.

The funny conversation we had while skipping to school this morning was her asking me when was the last year I tricked or treated? I was in 6^th grade, so that puts it at 1988. I went as Indiana Jones, and walking around with my friends, going door to door, I felt the embarrassment of being too old for this. Twelve years old is an awkward age, but I’m pretty sure I was the twelve-year-old that wanted to be a 16-year-old, and being around real little kids just wasn’t cool anymore.

I fear that the reason the kid asked me this was to try a gage how many trick or treat Halloweens she has left. I hope that wasn’t the reason because that would mean that she is aware of the mortality of certain events in her life. I had thought we had a year or two left of her thinking these occasions/events/holidays went on forever in their cycle – never changing just repeating. But they do change. Ever so slightly from year to year.

And that’s why I told her that Halloween does stay fun. I had a bunch of really great Halloweens in my college theatre department. It is a holiday that is prime for a certain group of people who like to put on costumes, get into character, and then have a late-night party – that was a lot of fun. But most of all, I remember the friendships, and the good times with people I enjoyed seeing, being with, and working with as well. There was a lull between kid Halloween and grownup Halloween, but each one has its place. Now I’m smack in the middle of parent Halloween, which is pretty unique on its own, and also has a very special place as well.

So, I hope everyone has fun tonight. Be safe and celebrate in your own way. For me, I’ll be that guy chasing after his daughter in a green Michigan State sweatshirt, because that’s what I want to do for Halloween.