i do not like halloween because of the candy,
or the costumes,
although i was game this year.
game enough.

it's not yet eight and i've shut the front light,
saving the last fifteen lollipops for bribery amongst my own tribe.
so i don't love the ringing and the trick or treating.

i do not love halloween for the parade around the park,
although i do like that.
it's a nice tradition,
and the kids do like it quite a bit.

i do not love halloween for the toilet paper, eggs, and shaving cream of my own youth.
(and now the occasional current day troublemaker.)
(i keep the cats in early on halloween.)

i love it for the dark.
for the start of the rest of our days,
the rest of the days of the year.
for the heralding of the sweetest days,
where it becomes conventional wisdom
that these are the days to be kind,
to be grateful,
to give and to receive.
to hang sparkly things
and wrap up little treasures.
to have treats on hand at all times
so that the most regular stop-in
becomes something better than regular.

days where we believe that
from here on in,
each day
is special.

i love halloween because it is over,
and now we can begin
to celebrate.

xo,
tt