I watched a clip recently whereby the person interviewed (I can't recall whom) said this about Halloween, "[paraphrased] compared to all the other holidays, it's the best day: there's no finding-the-perfect-gift, no cooking a giant meal, no extra pressure. It's freeing, it's just self-expression."
Before this, I hadn't thought about Halloween in contrast to other holidays. Sure, I've always appreciated its costumes, its candy, its movies, but the predominant purpose is someone else's enjoyment, specifically kids. That's the entire point. Right?
Hmm...maybe not?
Why do I feel this way? [Insert big pause here.] For me, Halloween has always felt a bit too extroverted, too turbulent, too chaotic, too... (insert English-major trigger-warning here) Dionysus and not enough Apollo. Right?
Dear friends, I could bore you with the reasons for my childhood hang-ups here, but I will close with this: there are some things I need to unlearn about Halloween. What's that saying? "Remember that the opposite of depression is not joy—it's expression [author unknown]." Happy Halloween to all the kids today, but to YOU I say: feel free to also do your thang.
Happy Halloween🎃👻🍬
ReplyDeleteI alway loved Halloween because I could wear a costume and be someone else, very appealing for me.
ReplyDeleteHappy Halloween! Thank you for the reminder that I'm free to be me and not care about what anyone else thinks.
ReplyDeleteLet your freak flag fly, DB!
ReplyDeleteToo Dionysus and not enough Apollo? I'm quite sure Apollo would not have dressed up for Halloween. Let Dionysus go wild at least one night a year. Ha! I loved that reference.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved Halloween...and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, because my daughter and her wife send out Halloween photo cards instead of Christmas cards every year. Proud dad moment!
ReplyDeleteNever was a big Halloween person.
ReplyDeleteI guess we'll be dressing up tonight to meet with friends here in PV, but I really can't remember the last time we have.
I know people for whom Hallowe'en is the best time of the year. I had never really understood that, but your blog post clarifies it for me, so thank you. I love children's art, but don't care for the ugliness of some Hallowe'en decorations.
ReplyDeleteI think that quote is also supposed to include something about not having to visit family. 😎
ReplyDeleteIt has certainly gathered steam since I was knee -high to a grasshopper.
People get together and have fun, that's how I look at it. But it's not really that popular here.
ReplyDelete