on this eve of something hallowed
we sit with women old and
infants young and games are played and communion shared over pizza and soup and laughter is the tea-light in a pumpkin pulling
family close
and i'm scared of ghosts and skeleton heads and shadows and i'm not sure what to think when we dress up our children and send them out for candy
remembering my childhood of bobbing for apples and 'chitty chitty bang bang' and learning of all saints day, for halloween was nothing holy
we have sons, three, amongst us, and they are dressed in pig and dog and monkey
and i see the fathers and mothers bringing little ones to door, the soft whisper of trick or treat and the eyes lit at gift from stranger and the odd kindness in this
loving of neighbors
God tells us to do this, this reaching out, and
there is redemption in the trying
so this is hallowed: family and food and children full of joy
and we linger in saving grace, if nothing else
thankful, with ann, for
141. snowfall fresh
142. editor who believes
143. soul stripped bare
144. baby-hugs
145. firewood for winter
146. friends and tea
147. skype convo with family
148. good books
149. sleep in's
150. mercy
19 comments:
i've been having several unrelated conversations about what loving neighbors looks like, and tonight, i felt welcomed. it was kind of magical. :) and the boys had a blast. it was my first ever trick or treating experience as well, since i was never allowed to as a kid. kind of fun. :)
it is an odd kindness...what a great expression. I know we had neighbor who would hide with their lights out, and I just could not understand why they wouldn't treat the children now, when their own child is grown.
the reaching out part...
and grace. so thankful for grace.
:)
amy in peru
nice. sounds like a wonderful way to spend the evening...and it is fun to see their faces light up...
Love the pictures. To see the joy in the children's eyes and their trust. Nothing can prevent God from being present and breaking through.
Andie
Snow already? Wow! Lovely, finding Him in the giving of sugary treats. I thought I had taken a stand, only because it was too much work on my part. Then dear friends took care of my children:costumes and face painting...they reached out in kindness and over steaming bowls of chili and laughter I was thankful for the traditions of friends.
#142! Thanking God with you on this one. Your story is so important.
I posted yesterday about the way resurrection faith defeats the horror of darkness and death--the skeletons and goblins of pagan roots--with the laughter that defeats fear. And the community and reaching out--what better way to defeat the powers of darkness than with grace!
counting your joys with you friend :)
our little loves are old enough to know the pagan roots - and old enough to cling to the Truth that this too is the day the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it (and a little silly too :)
"and i see the fathers and mothers bringing little ones to door, the soft whisper of trick or treat and the eyes lit at gift from stranger and the odd kindness in this
loving of neighbors
God tells us to do this, this reaching out, and
there is redemption in the trying
so this is hallowed: family and food and children full of joy
and we linger in saving grace, if nothing else"
:)
When my daughter was young she was scared of all the scary Halloween things, but she loved dressing in costume, pretending, as all young things do, and we had lovely neighbors who loved to see the little ones come visit and loved to give them "treats." And my little Emily refused to say "trick or treat" because she said she didn't want to "trick" them... so she just said "happy halloween." And now she goes to the door and greets all the little ones who are so proud of their disguises and so amazed by the candy and so shy that this pretty young woman tells them how great they look and pretends to be scared when they growl... they grow up SO fast.
hope that you have a fun Halloween,
fantastic piece.
I had a monkey too, with a little bow so they'd know she was a girl ;) This is why I do Halloween, because I believe in redeeming a day, in reclaiming ground we once let go of in the name of God and good and community.
some people can be a little judgemental about halloween. i love your take on it emily. this was just beautiful.
i haven't made up my mind on halloween yet..and i really enjoyed how you write and shared your thoughts and your emotions about it..helped me
Sounds like such a cosy evening!
Blessings friend :)
I think that is a lovely way to look at Halloween Em. My childhood memories of it are just like that - filled with warmth and love and laughter.
i relish your thoughts in black and white...it makes me wonder more deeply
this Halloween was even less work than the one prior,
but the best part was the little ones who come to the door with their chubby wondering cheeks,
the ones who stumble over the steps in the dark,
the ones who screech with silly and joy and ask to pet our dog.
( okay, even the one who called me gaga , the mother explaining that was the name for grandma :) )
Mercy. It's all mercy isn't it? Love to you.
"redemption in the trying". exactly. i love you.
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