When I was growing up, I wasn’t allowed to dress up for Halloween or go trick-or-treating. To my family, Halloween was a celebration of death and darkness and we wanted no part of that. Instead, we celebrated “fall” by going to all the Fall Festivals. On Halloween, we would wait in anticipation for dad to come because he would take us to the candy store and buy us big bags of candy. Then, we’d turn off the front porch light and gather in the back of the house in the dark, to watch a movie and eat popcorn. It was a blast. We absolutely loved it! (at least I did)
But on my very first Halloween with Noah, I was excited to dress him up.
He was a darling little chubby bubby golfer. I dressed my kids up every year, until recently as they’ve gotten older. Lately, it’s been a little touch-and-go, so I just let them decide for themselves. For the first 10 years, though, Scott and I dressed up with them. We dressed in family themes. We’ve been spies, pirates, the cast of Robin Hood, obviously Star Wars, Harry Potter, and many more. (One day I’ll have to do a “Halloween through the years” blog with photos of the fun.) Because I never dressed up as a kid, it was especially fun to get to dress up as an adult, with my kids.
Not one time have I felt like we were celebrating darkness.
In fact, it feels more like we’re showing up to give off light, on a night that could use a little more. Sure, there are bloody goblins, and scary themed costumes running around. There’s an artificial sense of fear looming in the air, threatening to snuff out any light. But to me, a night like Halloween gives us a chance to show up and face the darkness.
And choose to bring light.
“To be Jedi is to face the truth and choose.
Give off light, or give off darkness Padawan.
Be a candle, or the night. ” ~ Yoda
No matter whether or not you celebrate Halloween, you can choose to give off light or give off darkness.
Choose to give off light.
Be a candle in the night.
Tonight, and every night.
to more love,
Crystal
