Halloween Memories

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to see Stuart McLean in Stratford. My husband and I are huge fans. During one of his stories he posed a question to the audience, giving us all a little something to think about; what was your first memory of Halloween, and what is your most memorable Halloween.

As a kid, Halloween was so much fun. It was one night that I could do what kids do best! Have fun, dress up in a weird, strange, or make believe costume, run around and act silly...all while collecting candy. What else could be better?

Stuart McLean certainly made me think! I seem to have a hard time pin pointing what my first memory of Halloween really was - aside from the ones displayed in my parent s photo albums. But I do have a most memorable Halloween!

There were so many great ones to choose from. Was it the year I was a princess, or a rock star? Or was it the year my children finally understood the concept of Halloween and had a blast dressing up? I've had some pretty cool moments for sure! But the one Halloween that seems to stick out the most is the first year that I went out for Halloween without my parents. It was 1979, and my youngest brother had just been born. He had to stay in the hospital a little bit longer than expected, so my other brother and I got to spend Halloween with my grandparents. What stood out the most, and made this year memorable, was that my Poppa was more of a hands off , than hands on type of a grandparent. But this was the year he had to come up with the costumes for my brother and I. He decided on a robot for my brother, (made of boxes), and I was a witch (my hat was made of cardboard). Both products were readily available in the warehouse! I wasn't thrilled to be a witch and looking back I hope that I wasn t too hard on them for that. I remember how proud he was to take us out in his neighbourhood. We walked up and down the street well we ran around like lunatics gathering our loot! It was absolute blast! I don t think it was a record year in candy collection for either me or my brother and I remember missing my parents and wanting to see them. But most of all I remember how happy I truly was. When you are kid Halloween is about dressing up, and having fun for a day.

Everyone has a Halloween memory. What was your most memorable Halloween?