Posted on 09/22/2011 6:49:00 AM PDT by flowerplough
...Growing up in the late seventies and early eighties, Halloween was a big deal in my life. For weeks before October 31 my friends and I plotted the best neighborhood routes to maximize candy retrieval. We traded information in a “you tell me yours then I’ll tell you mine” manner to extract the locations of generous homes that doled out full size candy bars and stingy ones that gave out cheap toffees that tasted like expired cough drops. There were lengthy discussions as to which costumes to wear. As a child of the seventies, I have donned a long white nightgown and twisted my hair into two tight buns on the sides of my head a la Princess Leia, but my go-to costume was a gypsy. Simple and classic. Plus I had an excuse to wear every bit of jewelry I owned, as well as raid my mother’s jewelry box and “borrow” pieces from my sister when she was off putting on her own costume. Good times.
I had wanted these same good times for my children. Growing up in the West there are so few holiday traditions that Muslim kids share with their classmates. They do not participate in the, “Whatcha get from Santa?” discussions or “What did the Easter Bunny bring you?” conversations. After Halloween, though, I remember being in the thick of the candy bartering sessions, and I wanted my children to enjoy the same sense of belonging and participation. But my three children all attended an Islamic school and it never occurred to me that the school may view Halloween as anything but innocuous fun. My first clue to the contrary was the information sheet that came home in their backpacks outlining the pagan origins of the holiday. My second subtle hint was the sign that read, “We Do Not Celebrate Halloween. Please Do Not Ring Our Bell” designed and decorated in the students’ art class. ... – I had chosen to enroll my children in this Islamic school and loved the school’s mission and ideals but what to do when their philosophy and mine clashed?
It’s heaven, isn’t it? Will you be taking them around?
Every year, I set out the candy but in the last two years no one has appeared. I guess everyone in the neighborhood has grown up.
The Bo-Peep and her Sheep is an adorable idea. Have lots of fun!
There are so few simple pleasures left, glad this one survives.
One year when I was about 4, my 7 year old brother dressed me in a tiger outfit with large cat ears. He dressed as a lion tamer. My mother took a photo of us in the darkened hall of my great uncle’s New York City tenement. It became a family favorite.
So take plenty of photos!
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