Halloween came and went with much fun. . . and candy.  As I sit here typing I am sacrificing my teeth and figure for the sake of my children.  Ok, so, I'm really enjoying the easy access to a bucket-full of candy.  But I probably really am sacrificing my teeth and what is left of my figure.  The 10 boxes of Girl Scout cookies that Jason bought me are surely not helping either. 

Anyway, Halloween was fun from the get-go.  We had waffle jack-o-lanterns for breakfast (waffles with faces made of cut up sausage patties), fingers (cut up hot dogs tipped with mustard) and toes (baby carrots) for lunch, and worms and eyeballs (spaghetti and meatballs) for dinner -- all served with OJ on white grape juice ice cubes with gummy worms frozen in.

Everyone was eager to get to trick-or-treating after dinner.  So we threw the two kids together -- Gordon was Bob the Builder and Teeny was a chicken -- in record time and made it out the door shortly after the other neighborhood kids started out.  It was really the best Halloween experience I think I've ever had.  Living in town homes, you are naturally close to your neighbors, for better or worse.  Halloween night was one of the better times.  Since it was nice and surprisingly warm out, I sat out on the front steps with the baby and chatted with my many neighbors as Jason took the kids around a block or two.  When all the neighborhood kids returned they ran up and down the sidewalk burning off sugar as quickly as they put it in while the parents sat, chatted, and passed out candy.  It really was just plain enjoyable!

For All Saints Day we talked about heaven and who lives in heaven -- deep enough conversation for the young fry of this house.  And, of course, we had a pleasant candle light dinner. 

All Souls Day I talked with Gordon about my paternal grandfather -- his greatgrandpa -- who passed away when I was a freshman in college.  It was nice to share little stories -- pleasant memories -- with my son.  I told him about how my Grandpa took me to a pond to feed canned corn to the ducks and squirrels who would literally come right up and almost eat right out of your hand.  I told him how Grandpa called me Pumpkin and Dutchess.  I told him how Grandpa loved to fish more than just about anything else, but not as much as he loved doing things with his family.  He had his faults, as we all do; but he always seemed to me a generous man who just loved when he was able to put a smile on the face of one of his grandchildren.  I shared these and others, and Gordon even asked for more which made me realize just how important it is for me to be sure to tell my children family stories.  I need to tell any story I can remember being told as a child and then pass own my own as well.  I need to tell them over and over so as to help my children connect with their heritage . . . and provide them with stories to share with their own children one day.

So, our Halloween was not about ghosts and goblins and the Devil.  It was about God's protection, love, and provision.  It was about the hope we have of going to heaven to live with Jesus when we die.  It was about remembering the dead not as scary spirits but as dearly loved family with whom we share many fond memories.