Happy Halloween!

Every year since our son, Travis, was eight months old, we’ve gone to my parents’ house for Halloween.  We went to show Mema and Papa his costume, and he trick-or-treated their street after he did ours, because he knew all the neighbors over there too.  When his daughter was born, Travis never hesitated, but just showed up at their house to take her trick or treating there. This year, his new son joined us, continuing a 27-year tradition in our family.

While we hand out candy to the spooky little witches and Supermans, we sit on the porch and reminisce about past years and costumes.  Travis’ first costume was an old devil costume of Max’s, with a headband with horns and a cape three times as long as he was.  His favorite part of the treats that year were the bright colors on the packages, and Max ate all his chocolate.  

My parents don’t like to talk about Aaron, but Max and I always remember, with simultaneous sadness and sweetness, the only time Travis got to go with his brother.  Aaron was 16 months old; Travis was five and a half.  They went as matching vampires in capes I made from an old dress of mine.  Aaron was getting over chicken pox, no longer contagious, but the makeup covered up his spots.  Travis raided Aaron’s bucket of candy, and I remember Aaron saying, “No, bubba!” to him, the same way Kadence does now to Aidan.

Travis was eight years old when Jen was born, and he could not wait to take her trick-or-treating, even though she was only 5 months old.  Hook was his favorite movie at the moment, and he went as a pirate, with a long black wig, sash at the waist, and a hook created from aluminum foil by his creative mom.  Every time he’d run back from a house, he would show Jen the candy he got, while Jen only looked at him with the wide-eyed adoration she’s had for him since birth. 

By the time Jen was eight, we had moved to Lufkin and lived out in the country where we never had trick-or-treaters.  We just started at Mema and Papa’s house, carrying costumes to their house and getting ready there.  Travis always danced and fidgeted, anxiously waiting for Jen to get ready.  He’d then take her by the hand, leading her around the neighborhood, teaching her all his trick-or-treat tips, and always reminding her to say “thank you.”  That year, Jen was a glamour girl, in a red sequined dress I made her, hair up in a fashionable bun highlighted by a tiara, and glamorous make-up.  My heart always flipped when I followed them down the street during this era.  Travis’ tall figure next to her small one, that tiny hand tightly clasping his index finger, keeping her safe, and making sure she hit the best houses and got the best stuff.  He’d usually arrive back at the house carrying her, because her little feet got tired, and he has never been able to tolerate Jen in any form of discomfort without making it all better.

Last year, Travis’ daughter, Kadence was almost the same exact age as Aaron was when they arrived to go trick-or-treating.  We waited on the porch while Sandra got Kadence’s outfit on, and when that baby walked out in her Wonder woman costume, including winged shoes and gold bracelets of power, my heart just melted.  This year, Kadence and Sandra were pirate wenches, while Aidan was a tiny, wiggly, giggly, glow-in-the-dark, skeleton. 

Traditions in life change so much and sometimes disappear as life evolves.  It makes even more precious this long tradition of ours.  These memories began when Travis was in diapers, my dad’s hair and beard were a deep dark brown, and he had way more of it.  One year Mother wanted to be a witch and I painted her face so wickedly well the kids were afraid to take candy from her.  She swore after that she’d never be the bad witch again.  There were years with babies in our arms, little hands grasping our fingers, pulling them in a wagon or pushing a stroller, and carrying them when their tiny feet got tired.  Every year, my mind flashes back to images of miniature vampires, pink princesses, the giant spider costume Travis requested one year, Jen wearing a princess dress three years in a row, and I know I’ll never forget tonight’s tiny laughing skeleton. 

I relish these memories.  They are so cherished and I keep them very close to my heart because they sustain me during difficult, dark, and tough times.  I look forward to the time when Max and I are the white haired great-grandparents, Travis and Jen are our strong guardians, and their grandchildren in diapers and ready for their first taste of that good sweet stuff.  These traditions, and the wonderful bright and colorful memories they provide, are just a small fraction of what makes life such a beautiful and wonderful thing.  I can’t wait for all the good stuff yet to come!!!