You’re not too old for Halloween!!!
I had this argument with my boyfriend recently about
debating what plans to do for the fall. Most of the exciting things happen in
the state like the International Balloon Fiesta, and there’s just other
festivals galore for my state. Of course we get invited to a couple Halloween
parties, mainly through his friends and coworkers. Like any other holiday occasion, they
were going to be costume parties. Mind you, he’s one of the youngest guys at
his work and they’ve been asking what his costume is going to be and he’s been
answering with “myself”. He doesn’t plan on wearing a costume because he states
that he’s too old or his favorite coined phrase, he’s grown.
Now anyone who just enjoys holidays in general can see the
brain cells dying off in my head because I’m totally rolling them. Happens
every year and what he doesn’t realize is that it puts me in a slightly awkward
spot because if we go, you know that your girl is gonna wanna dress up. (I only
say slightly because while we could be that couple that dresses together, I
don’t really have a problem going all out on my costume while he shows up in a
regular t-shirt). His older brother throws a little family get together for
Halloween that includes costumes and a pumpkin decorating contest. It’s all
part of the spirit but I know and you know and they know and everyone and their
dog knows that there are people in the world that think that if you have hit
puberty then you are too old to be trick or treating and/or participating.
Now I know it’s not just a ‘girl’ thing to want to dress up
and not be you, intentionally, with no judgement what-so-ever so I give you 5
reasons to join in the holiday spirit for Halloween.
1.
There are too few joys in life. There’s no
hiding the turmoil that has plagued the world lately. Not just where I am in
the state of New Mexico where we had our own shooting at a local public library
but there’s been the terrible massacre in Las Vegas, Nevada. The multiple
hurricanes to the southeast of the country as well as the wall of Hellfire up
in the northwest of the country. Mother Nature has also taken a toll on other
areas of the world as well as just the appalling actions of other humans here
and everywhere else. We need a sort of release. We need a time to be together
and remember that it’s ok to have a good time in order to renew spirits to
handle tomorrow.
2.
It’s proof that we need to take ourselves a
little less seriously. Now this is something that I can admit I am guilty of
and I thank my wonderful boyfriend for pointing it out to me even if I don’t
like it in that moment. You have to be able to laugh at yourself. Call it the
fault of the PC culture or Social Justice Warriors whatever you want, it’s all
just an excuse. You can’t take yourself seriously all the time. You just can’t
because if you do then it affects your personality and it has the potential to
turn you not just into a party pooper but a general stick in the mud in life
and no one wants to be around that (including yourself).
3.
It’s just fun overall. FUN. Whether you have the
stupid SpongeBob song playing or a club song playing in your head. It’s almost
a certifiable day to be lighthearted and whimsy. If your work allows you to
dress up within reason, why not? If you’re invited to a grown up costume party
and you want to be fun rather than risqué, why not? If you’d rather go vice
versa, why not? It’s a perfect opportunity to try something new in terms of
your personality and check out reactions. Everyone gets compliments around
Halloween whether it’s for being scary, pretty, creative, risqué. You can still
get away with throwing a sheet with two holes and be a ghost and still get
laughs for crying out loud.
4.
Great family time. Now granted I don’t have kids
and if you have them, you’re more than likely to keep them away from me because
I have some unseen ability to scare children and it ultimately ends with crying
and occasionally screaming. No lie and 98% of the time it’s unintentional. But
I’ve also been at work and we usually participate in the Safe Stops for Trick
Or Treating. The community does a fantastic job of putting it together for
families to take especially the small children trick or treating during the day
rather than in the depths of night. I’ve seen the full cast of the Wizard of Oz
with Dorothy and the Lion in a stroller. I’ve seen the cast of Toy Story with 3
of them riding in a Red Wagon, one being the little green alien and my life was
made. It’s just a good time all around for us who are giving the treats and for
everyone who has to walk through our doors.
5.
It doesn’t have to be demonic. Yes, the history
surrounding the connotation of Halloween is fairly dark. No matter what your
faith or beliefs are, it’s good to remember that we can’t change the past. We
can’t change the possibility or even of the idea that the spirits of those
who’ve passed on have the opportunity to return or if you as a virgin light the
Blake Flame Candle then the Sanderson sisters would return to suck the lives
out of the children by sunrise. It is 2017 and we have the power and ability to
make this holiday what we want. So if your group wants to throw up a picture of
a goat and jam out to Norwegian black metal bands, whatever but don’t harm
anyone. If your group wants to have a costume party zombies or heaven forbid,
karaoke, do you booboo and don’t harm anyone.
There are worse things in this
life and in this world than a holiday we can use for fun rather than
obligation. And on that note, what are you dressing up as?
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