All through October my siblings and I used to search the house for things that could be used as a part of a costume. And then on Halloween night we’d throw on the things we’d put together and gather in the bathroom. Halloween night was the only time we were allowed to wear makeup, and we made the most of it, piling on lipstick to make it look like blood and surrounding our eyes with black and blue eyeshadow. When we stepped out of the house at night we didn’t always know what we were supposed to be, but each of us looked like we could be something, and if we were asked we could easily make something up.
After Trick-or-Treating in our own neighborhood, we’d all pile in the van and drive from one neighborhood to another until our bags were full. One year I carried three bags and kept them in the car so people would give me more candy out of pity (it worked okay). All throughout the night my siblings, cousins, friends, and I would sing songs and tell jokes. We wouldn’t stop laughing and rarely did it ever get quiet, but those quiet moments were pure, they held us together in this strange sense of solidarity, and they reminded us that the night would eventually end.
The next day (or a few days later) my siblings and I would compare our loot to see if we wanted to trade. My youngest sister and I would sometimes build houses and see if the other had what we wanted that way (those skittles sure would make a nice bed for my Lego person). Sometimes I’d hold all the candy I had, even the pieces I didn’t want, until after I was done with my house; Milk dud boxes are good building material.
Each year around this time I think of days like that. I haven’t been home for Halloween in a few years, but memories like these are the reason it’s one of my favorite holidays. Now I’m starting to feel weird about Trick-or-Treating with my 19 and older friends. Last year I was a frog fairy and we went door to door begging for sugar and pity after work. Freshman year I just watched movies. I haven’t decided what I’m doing this year yet—I’m dressing up, I don’t know what I’ll be yet, but I’ll figure it out. Maybe this is out of nostalgia, but have the strangest feeling that on Halloween night I’ll find myself crammed into my friend’s bathroom using mascara to make stitches and lipstick to fake wounds. I’ll be wearing wings because they’re fun and one of my dresses to be a cute kind of creepy. I’ll probably walk around a bit, but mostly I just want to watch movies.
Have a happy Halloween and stay safe.
