By Tatum Oxenreider
Assistant Editor
As October comes to an end, Halloween comes flying around the corner with cooler weather, treats from the harvest season (or Walmart), quality time with friends and a cozy, spooky energy buzzing about.
Yes, the holiday has changed greatly as time goes on and stems farther from the Catholic roots and celebration of the saints gone before us as a remembrance that we, too will die an earthly death. But I think the Halloween festivities still have merit separate from the feast days.
I’ve always loved Halloween and have an abundance of childhood memories with it. Most of my family never got into the spooky spirit as much as I did, but Trick-or-Treating with my brothers was a highlight. I remember we would always dump out our treasure the minute we got home and would trade, construct houses with them and become way too sugar-high.
While candy is a bonus, dressing up is inarguably the best part. For me, it’s an outlet for my creativity and desire to work with my hands. In my family, we rarely ever bought any costumes or props, we had to use what we already had on hand– a challenge that my frugal self enjoyed.
I will admit, I made some decent costumes in my day. The best so far was Sally from “The Nightmare Before Christmas” with my handmade patchwork dress and classic Tim Burton eyes. The worst (dare I mention), was Hello Kitty in first grade which entailed a pink felt dress, fuzzy earmuffs and painting my entire face a horrifying white. We don’t talk about that Halloween.
I also have a soft spot for classic, fantastical and spooky Halloween movies. It’s become a tradition to watch “Hocus Pocus” (the new one is overrated), the “Halloweentown” series, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and “Coraline.”
And what’s Halloween without the festivities? Parties with friends and family, listening to Halloween music, carving pumpkins, consuming an ungodly amount of fall treats and playing games like Werewolf at Midnight, Deadly Wink, Charades or a scavenger hunt.
As I’ve gone far from home with limited funding, resources and time, my Halloween celebrations have been toned down. But my spooky spirit has not! I still observe the season in the little things by decorating my side of the dorm, wearing my spider earrings and enjoying quality time with friends solving murders or drinking cider around a fire.
I encourage you to join me in enjoying the holiday that marks the beginning of a sacred, tradition-filled season and calls us to slow down, eat some candy and enjoy the many Autumnal blessings God has given us. After all, from dust we came and from dust we shall return. Memento Mori, Dear Reader, and Happy Halloween!