Yesterday was Halloween and I was impressed as I drove through down-town Encinitas on Highway 101 at the numbers of families, some with grandparents in tow. The young parents of
My daughter and her family
the small children were all dressed up too!
This is a lovely new expression for the parents of young children! I have been thinking about this and how the expression of why people love to dress up in costumes. Traditionally, today, November 1, is the day of the dead in Spain and in Latin American countries.
Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de Muertos) is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and around the world in other cultures. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. It is particularly celebrated in Mexico, where the day is a bank holiday. The celebration takes place on October 31, November 1 and November 2, in connection with the Christian triduum of Hallowmas: All Hallows’ Eve, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.[1][2] Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars called ofrendas honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts. They also leave possessions of the deceased.My daughter’s mother-in-law in Spain puts fresh flowers on loved ones graves every November 1st. (Source: Wikipedia)
In America, for the most part, Halloween has become a huge event from parties to parading in towns through neighborhoods to see your friends and neighbors all dressed up. Many families in Fairfax, California, decorate their gardens and homes to reflect the Halloween spirit. Artists and collectors in Fairfax open their homes to the holiday revelers.
A friend of mine used to own a hotel with a restaurant and bar. Halloween was their most fun event of the year and biggest money maker! The locals enjoyed coming to the bar. My friend and his wife had fun thinking in advance about upcoming Halloween and who they would be enacting.
Human beings love to put on plays. We love to pretend we are someone different from ourselves! Real or imaginary! Aside from witches and goblins and ghosts or fairy princesses there is always that excitement and FUN to be someone or something we would never really want to be…. Our alter ego if you will!?
Here’s to Halloween in the USA!!! How FUN this day is in our society!
Bye for now,
Francesca