Happy Halloween
I didn’t really go out for Halloween as a child.
The first time I actually walked out of my house and went Trick or Treating, I dressed as Pebbles Flintstone in a colorful, johnny like tunic and a hard plastic mask. I was thrilled. I was 9. Until that year, it is believed that I scared myself into sickness each October 31, getting so worked up that I would vomit or be too out-of-sorts to play in the dark.
I’m telling you this because it will explain much. I REALLY like Halloween now. The opportunity to frolic in someone else’s persona is a thrill. As a youth leader, I relished the challenge of finding a fun and entertaining costume that would hold up examples of integrity, creativity, wonder and strength. As a woman, I wanted to expose pieces of me that would surprise and share that initial thrill.
Some years ago I started organizing a kid’s Trick or Treat event during the day and then going to New York City’s Village Halloween party in the evening as part of my celebration. It gave me a shot at doing “grown-up” (read: less integrity and more sex appeal), Halloween and felt like adventure. From meeting Gaston at the train station to people asking if they could have their picture taken with me as Betty Boop, the event didn’t disappoint. I’m aware of things like risk and jacked up cover charges, but at the end of the day, New York city turns into a small town when it comes to celebrating. People are nicer and more welcoming, city streets turn into big sidewalks. The whole town is a party and the world is invited.
Like any other holiday, Halloween is about believing. As I walked along 14th Street the other night, a woman approached and asked if I was Cyndi Lauper. I responded with, “That’s right!”, she then told me she loved me and introduced me to her daughter. I wished her a Happy Halloween and as they walked away the confusion dawned on me. It was too late to deny it, and I think we both knew it, but for a moment we believed in the greatness of it all. Everyone believed they could be anyone else within reason. As a result, we were all involuntarily a bit more honest with each other. Add the theory that an adult beverage will just make you more of yourself and its probably more honest that any of us would attempt on a regular Monday night. It’s a different kind of magic indeed.
Due to truly scary and unseasonable weather consequences, Trick or Treating has been rescheduled for November 4th in my town. My bins of Halloween garb are laying about like Christmas trimmings in January. I’m in no rush to put them away. Can I conjure another spirit from within me? What if I could take one of those examples of strength and wonder and let it live through me the rest of the year? Maybe there’s more of me to expose and thrill….who knows…?
I’m afraid it takes more than a costume to bring out what really lives inside me, but I’ve got a seed of belief.
And that’s what the upcoming season is all about.
I’m not scared anymore.
