When I was a kid I loved Halloween. It was eighty-five percent about the candy but the other fifteen percent was the mystery and strength I found behind being someone who I wasn't. The adventures I endured fueled my imagination so vividly that even still I reminisce over the times I truly believed myself to be a powerful witch.
In Preschool I chose to be a Dragon. I defied every stereotype about what a girl could and could not wear and I was a Dragon. Every other girl out there was a Princess and there I was defying the cookie cutter lifestyle that America had embraced.
I think even then I was born to be a rebel.
As I grew older, Halloween started to take on a different meaning than it had in the years prior. It wasn't much fun anymore. I mean how could it be when you didn't fit in? It felt like even though you were wearing someone else's skin you could never truly escape anymore. It became a thing of the past and it was now more about Mischief Night than anything else.
That grew old, though; I couldn't quite fathom the idea of committing crimes as fun. It wasn't your good ole fashion t-p'd house or smashing people's pumpkins. It was neighborhood kids writing horrible messages about you in soap on your driveway, or spray painting penis's on streets that little people played in or your grandmother took walks on.
"Lighten up" was the common phrase I heard over and over that night. The truth is I didn't want to lighten up... I just wanted to go home.
Once again the world was changing and a Princess was born. A little girl with an amazing personality; a spitfire just like her mother. A reason to enjoy Halloween again.
Our little Snow White grew to be a very grown Elsa.
Several days ago I was asked if I was a big Halloween person. I replied that I enjoy it for different reasons than I had before.
I enjoy seeing my niece all dressed up and excited about all the candy she is about to receive. I enjoy seeing the joy in her face as she parades herself around the living room so proud to finally be a Princess. What she doesn't know is that every day she is a Princess and one day with the help of the amazing women in my family she will be a very wise and loving Queen.
- The Aunt.
