For the first time since the girls we little, our favorite holiday, Halloween, had a little less pizazz. And that felt a tad bit sad.
Amara is a sophomore in high school, Havana a middle schooler. They are more concerned with hanging out with friends than hanging out in a pumpkin patch. Sure, they into their costume designing and decorating the front yard with creepy goblins, coffins, and skeletons. But when it came down to Halloween night, Havana opted last minute to stay near her school, to do trick or treating with school pals (and that meant she did not have her awesome parking cone costume with her and no photos this year). Amara ended with just two friends, trick or treating in our neighborhood, without any adults.
In years past, we have a half a dozen or so kids gather, eat pizza and then head out for a couple of hours of sugar hunting. Every year, from the time they were months old, Don and I would be with the girls, knocking on doors in the beginning, to staying back on the side walks when they were old enough to knock themselves, and always walking until our feet hurt. But as I mentioned, things have changed. I have girls that are teens; they are growing and changing; becoming more of who they are, and as they figure that out along the way, it means a shift in some of our family routine. And that meant our favorite holiday looked a little different. Havana did her own thing, Amara doing her thing, and Don and I not even being part of any of it. I am happy for their independence but sad at the same time.
This all feels bittersweet. I am thankful for the years of sweet memories and I am grateful that my two small gems have a full, rich life, with friends, creative hearts and a love of Halloween that lives on. Even though it looks a little different.
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