Halloween 2021

 

It is finally Halloween; I literally wait all year. All of October intoxicates me; I love the turning leaves, the pumpkins and gourds, the aisles of candy, the colors, the decorations which now include Dia de Muerto figures that I couldn’t find until recently.

 

I love the chill in the air, the way the changing leaves glow on a cloudy day.  I love the feel of being cold and quelling the chill with hot chocolate or good, strong coffee.

 

We would go to Terror at Skellington Manor and I would see the dolls displayed, and the animatronics and mannikins that made up the vignettes like a giant doll house.  We would visit the statue of Krampus, or Ruprecht, saved from rejection by the Festival of Trees because he had horns. 

 

Most of all I loved the memories of my Dad rounding us kids up and taking us trick or treating.  I missed the packages from San Jose, when my grandma and grandpa, then aunts and uncles, would send Halloween care packages full of candy and plush for the holiday.  I miss my mother, who made costumes for me and for dolls that would accompany me on Halloween night, the cutouts she and I made to decorate our windows, and the lights Dad put up.  We did the annual Spoon River Drive to buy pumpkins and caramel apples, and my mom and I hit the after Halloween sales for more treasures.

 

Later, we took our son trick or treating, going one year as the Darth Vader family, and another dressed in Halloween sweaters.

 

Now, it’s me and my neighbor, and old and best friend who keep the faith.  I lost my Dad, Uncle, and mentor in three successive years in a row in November.  My Dad, grandma, and one good friend all died on the same day, and I lost three friends on that horrible November day last year.   Two years ago, it snowed on Halloween.  No trick or treat.  Last year, Aunt Connie, who also loved the holiday and candy, was also gone.

 

This year, Lori and I are getting ready to set up tonight, we missed Skellington Manor because we did trunk or treat at our Doll and Toy Museum,  American Doll and Toy Museum to be specific.  I dread November, but as my mom would say, I have to go forward, not backwards.

 

Happy Halloween, Happy Day of the Dead, thanks to all who came yesterday and helped with Trunk or Treat!  May the Great Pumpkin be good to us all this year.

Here are images of Halloween dolls and decor!