A series of essays….
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FIVE OF THE CUTEST TRICK-OR-TREATERS—EVER! |
….as seen through my eyes!
By: Jacqueline E Hughes
It really doesn’t take much more than a keen imagination to enjoy the true meaning of Halloween. It’s simply a matter of having fun and allowing our inner child to lead the way—even if it’s for only one day each year!
As a daughter, mom, and grandmother myself, I’ve enjoyed many years of getting into the Halloween spirit, either through my own children or their children, and holding on to the inner child within me. It might be as simple as turning on the porch light and hoping to have the neighborhood kids and their friends step-up on the porch fully costumed and excited to receive their treat.
Because there are so few children who come down our dead-end street (appropriately named), we’ve resorted to becoming the cool house on the block by passing out full-sized candy bars and keeping the porch light on until after eight.
We haven’t dressed-up in a costume for quite some time, but have never lost the true spirit that acknowledges this quirky time of the year. As grandma, I’ve walked around our daughter’s neighborhood with our son-in-law taking the grands from house to house in search of free sugary delights. Later, the candy would be sorted on the living room floor, exchanged between one another according to personal tastes, and gratefully offered to the adults in the room if the treat did not meet expectations.
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THE NIGHT’S BOUNTY IS DIVIDED AND CONQUERED |
As a child, I’ve walked side-by-side with my older brother down one block after another at Halloween. I still marvel at the ingenuity of my Mom when it came to making costumes for us. With money constraints in mind and having been a child of the Great Depression, she would always ask us what we would like to be each Halloween and then set out to make it happen—stretching her imagination and materials as far as humanly possible.
Ronnie became a hobo who carried his belongings in a large scarf that was tied to a long stick and hoisted on his shoulder. I recall him parodying a player of many sports (baseball, football, tennis, and basketball). My costumes ranged from a colorful butterfly with gossamer wings attached to my shoulders, similar to the straps on my school backpack, to a clown with colorful clothes and wearing a thick, red smile on my face.
One Halloween, sacrilegious or not, I asked Mom if I could be the Blessed Virgin. I was at the age when attending a Catholic grade school and learning about helping those in need made a significant impact on many of us kids and I was beginning to see myself dressed all in white and taking the vows of ‘missionary sisterhood’ in order to travel all over the world to help others. Granted, this seems self serving in every way considering my love for travel was always in the back of my mind. But, so was the kindness towards those in need that the nuns preached to us about every day.
While dressed in a light blue robe and veiled in a soft, white material that was held tight with a plastic headband, Ronnie and I set out to fill the pillow cases we held with goodies. We were making good headway when we came upon a house a distance away from home that had kids shaking their heads as they walked off the porch. Don’t bother, one boy said. When we got to the door it was opened with a squeak and an older lady, standing not much taller than myself, handed us a slice of white bread saying, This is all I have, but I wanted to give you something and see all of your fine costumes tonight!
Ronnie scoffed and turned to navigate her porch steps back down to the sidewalk. Looking into her tired eyes, I saw how sincere she was and patted her hand while thanking her for her ‘treat.’ Her smile was well worth it. Lessons were learned that particular Halloween and I will never forget her impact on me.
Dan and I decided to prank Ali and Eric one Halloween by dressing-up, identities disguised as a dirty, old man (mask) for Dan and I became Mike Myers from the movie, Halloween. We lived in Orlando at the time and traveled forty-five minutes to their house in Champions Gate. They opened the front door to our chorus of trick-or-treat as we proceeded to walk directly into their foyer invading their space and wondering how they’d react to such pushy trick-or-treaters.
They were way too polite and asked what was going on and if we would please step back onto the porch. When we heard the bit of panic in our daughter’s voice, we removed our masks and received a pummeling from her in return. Even though that was close to eighteen years ago, I believe there was a lesson learned that night, as well.
Mom may have used what materials she had lying around the house to fulfill our Halloween dreams, but our daughters are more than happy to purchase these dreams for their kids from the local pop-up Halloween shop or an online store and have it delivered to their house. There are flashbacks of Woody from the movie Toy Story, a Michigan State cheerleader, a Ninja Warrior, a smiling, blue Narwhal, a French chef, and numerous Disney Princesses throughout the years.
Still, my favorite was the costume she put together for her son when he was two years old. We called him the ‘Little Man.’ With a gray Fedora covering his blond/white hair, Oxford shirt and tie, patterned vest, and dress pants with black shoes—the piece de resistance had to be his hand drawn mustache and snappy smile.
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WHAT A HANDSOME ‘LITTLE MAN’ |
My generation of Halloween moms kept McCall’s, Butterick, and Vogue sewing patterns in business. And, for the most part, we cut out and sewed together the ghastly witches, perky Raggedy Anns, princesses, Wonder Woman, orange and red clowns, pale blue fairies with gossamer wings costumes, plus so many more! I enjoy sewing and this was the perfect opportunity to savor the results of my efforts and share them with my kids each year.
The ‘Perfect Halloween Storm’ arrived when we lived on State Street (a main road) in Eaton Rapids back in the early ‘80’s and our Victorian home was the ideal setting for it to happen. The weather was warm, the sidewalks were trafficked by local trick-or-treaters, as well as all of the children hauled in from the surrounding rural areas. We provided the somber porch lighting and sound affects to set the mood which included a frightening Halloween cassette playing on one of the kid’s boomboxes set-up in the corner of the foyer. The lights flashed off and on and the thick eight foot tall, oak entrance door squeaked when slightly moved.
That year, including running back to the store to replenish our candy stock, we counted approximately 550 pieces of candy given out. Not to mention sharing a million laughs, the wide-eyed looks from those under five years old, a few tears from over stimulated porch visitors, and happy parents wearing broad smiles as their little munchkins held up their opened containers to have us add to their night’s bounty.
Three generations of women. Three generations of moms getting in touch with their inner child. Three generations of doing it their own way with the outcome being just as charming and delightful for each child involved. Kudos to all of the men who have worked just as hard throughout the years to place smiles on the faces of their little ones. There is something quite magical about Halloween; a celebration of fun and the lack of inhibitions that sparks genuine enthusiasm and sharpens the imagination in all of us.
Hope you enjoyed your Halloween this year…!
Copyright © 2023 by Jacqueline E Hughes
All rights reserved
