Halloween

Halloween is one of my favourite holidays. It's a chance for people to let their imaginations fly and to play make believe. There's also candy, scary movies, and parties. You can be innocent or wicked, sweet or spooky, it's up to you. I see it as a holiday with something for everyone.

In years past Daniel and I would decorate the house, wear costumes, go to or host parties, and hand out trick-or-treats for Halloween. I loved all of it.

When we moved to Australia we toned it down because Halloween is only just starting to be celebrated here. We made our own decorations and had a handful of trick-or-treaters, who slowly increased in number each year. Our plans and decorations got more elaborate each year. Then I got sick. Then Daniel got sick.

This year I'm a bit ho-hum about Halloween. We'll still hand out trick-or-treats, but I didn't put our names up for the city list of homes handing out treats. I bought a costume (Lydia's wedding dress from Beetlejuice) but I don't think I'll wear it. It occurred to me that I don't have the energy to change out of my pyjamas most days, so putting on a costume plus doing my hair and make-up before repeatedly getting up and going to the door seems like an almost insurmountable task. Daniel hasn't been well enough to do big decorations this year. I actually don't mind that because I don't leave the house very often and would have trouble just going outside to see them.

Daniel did bring home a pumpkin to carve though. This will actually be our first jack-o-lantern since moving to Australia. When he brought the pumpkin inside I asked if I could hold it. I honestly hugged that pumpkin. I still love Halloween, I'm just trying to manage my expectations. I just wish it didn't feel like giving up. Hopefully when the day comes I'll be able to put on my Universal Monsters dress and hand out some candy. I'll watch Rocky Horror Picture Show like I do every year on Halloween, and maybe we'll get pizza for dinner. Hopefully it will feel like enough.