Walk By Faith

Navigate:
*Latest
*Older
*Notes
*Profile
*Rings
*Friends

Extra Stuff:
*family pics
*myspace

Okay, so I may not be the most interesting read and I may not say anything that you don't already know but this diary is mainly for myself. I enjoy sharing it with others, particularly my close friends so they know what's happening in my world, but its still mainly for me. I love to type out my thoughts. Its a great break from my otherwise hectic day. And I love reading over old entries and seeing how much life has changed. So enjoy the read but try not to be too critical.

Conquering Fears
October 31, 2006 - 6:08 p.m.

Okay - Don't laugh, that's all I ask.

For the first time I have attempted to conquer my fear; that is, my fear of trick or treaters. Yes, I will admit it. I have a fear of that door bell ringing on October 31st. It has only rang once so far this evening but when it did, my heart went into my throat. Yep. I'm a huge weenie.

My family never celebrated Halloween. At least not the way everyone else does. If we did anything, we went to church on that night, dressed in our normal clothes but with face paints (smiles, hearts, etc). We had fun but it was a "Harvest Festival" not a Halloween party. No one was dressed as skeletons, ghosts or witches. The scariest thing was the Superman, who weighed more than Chris Farley, in spandex tights. During school hours, while all of my friends were dressed up as various characters and creatures and busily colored paper witches and ghosts, I had to respectfully decline.

Last year I came to the realization that avoiding Halloween didn't send any better statement than enjoying it without the scary stuff. So, this year I have pushed back the urge to hide away as has been the custom every other year of my life and try to join in the festivities. Sunday evening, we had a small costume party at Mari's. It was just family but, other than some minor hang-ups, it was fun. The only one not dressed up was Haidyn. Which we have a fix for tonight with the cutest little fairy costume. As I type this the door bell rings again. I find myself pausing to listen as Paul answers the door. The child just stands there. Paul giggles and says "you gotta say it". So the timid little boy quietly states "trick or treat".... the words I've never in my life heard from a child not on a television set. I find myself giggling. Its not the dreading thing I always imagined it to be. They are just kids, and the occasional retarded, yet gutsy, college or high school student. Its just a goofy, cute, sweet, or heavily thoughout costume. Its just for fun. Its just for candy.

They're not walking around expecting real witches or ghosts to pop up. The only ones that will do so will be neighbors all dressed up or the props tied to trees and wooden posts in the yard. It may be a day that some choose to worship what is unholy. But for most of us, it is just a fun day. A break from the boringness of life for the kids and adults alike. A fun excuse to dress-up without criticism. A reason to force your spouse into that whoopie cushion costume that made you roll with laughter when you saw it. Just please, no Napoleon Dynomite costumes!

Happy Trick or Treating!

A Heart In Turmoil - July 25, 2007
Still My Baby Girl - July 24, 2007
Aaaaggghhhh! Stessful Summer! - July 23, 2007
Jumping Through Hoops - July 20, 2007
A Vacation from Vacation - July 17, 2007