Halloween

It's that time of year once more. October 31st and all the witches and devils will be upon us before nightfall. Trick or Treaters knocking the door as soon as darkness appears. Ghosts and ghouls walking the streets and party goers having fun and frolics until the wee hours.
Halloween is as big an occasion now as Chiristmas and perhaps even more so for some folk.
Living on the Derry/Dongal border I'm very fortunate to be within just a few miles of the city that was just recently voted the best to be in for Halloween, Derry! And come nightfall today I will indeed be venturing into Derry for the outlandish carnival and fireworks display that will await me. I'll walk the walls and walk the streets and enjoy every waking moment of it.
But it wasn't always that way!
Last night on Facebook I saw a friend of mine post a status about not liking Halloween. The same friend has young children who all love Halloween. Immediately I was drawn to her post. I can relate to it in every possible way.
My three boys loved Halloween as they were growing up. They would plan for days in advance what they were going to wear and where they were going 'trick or treating'. I dreaded it. Perhaps it's because we lived (still do) in a housing estate and all the neighbouring children and those beyond would descend on us as soon as darkness did likewise and the door wouldn't stop until midnight. I recall going to the door with sweets, nuts, crisps and more with a smile planted firmly on my face. Each time I closed the door I cringed hoping another knock wouldn't come. But it always did. I can't explain my reason for this but I just couldn't get into the Halloween spirit so to speak.
My boys would be out 'trick or treating' and return home with bags overflowing with sweets. I hated them eating so much rubbish on one night but it was Halloween after all. I had to stay quite and just let them enjoy.
Then as the boys grew older they would go off roaming the streets on Halloween with their friends. At no time were my boys allowed fireworks but they were in the company of people who were. I sat at home worrying that they would be hurt, or worse still, be responsible for hurting someone else.
It was a relief every Halloween night when all would return and I could turn off the lights knowing everyone was in bed.
So call me a spoil sport or other, but as a mother with young children I never liked Halloween.
However as night fallls later today, I'll be off up that city centre with camera in hand and enjoy the fun and frolics with the rest of them.
Not liking Halloween didn't make me a bad Mum I don't think. It made me a real Mum. Seeing my friend's post last night took away a lot of the guilt I used to feel. There's no shame in not being the same as everyone else. There's no shame is bieng honest.
If you enjoy Halloween, have a wonderful day and night. If you don't enjoy Halloween, then curl up with a good book for the day and night. Get lost in those pages and let the ghosts and ghouls remain outside where they belong.

GMcC