Pink Story: November 1st

November 1st finally came.  November 1st is one of my favorite days of the year because after a month of scary Halloween decorations and conversations, the Halloween holiday time is finally over. The month of October makes everyone think Halloween.  It permeates the television ads and shows. It fills the aisles in the stores. I don’t mind the little kids dressing up in cute costumes for candy.  I simply can’t stand all the spooky things.  I get it, but I don’t like it.  

Every year we have a parade of costumes at the school where students can walk down the hall and show off their costumes to each other.  I love the cute, creative ones.  There is not a lot of creativity in the scary ones.  The commercials advertising scary movies and the crazy decorations that people put up does not bring me joy so when November 1st comes, I take a breath and am happy to begin thinking of Thanksgiving and Christmas instead of the horrible Halloween.

These last five years I have enjoyed Halloween night when the local kids come trick or treating.  Since I teach at the school near our neighborhood, all former, future and past students come to my door. It's a treat for me when they are shocked to see a familiar face.  I love the squeals of greeting when I surprise them.  They didn't expect to see their teacher at the door. Those shocked faces beat the scary ones every time.

This has little to do with my journey over the last two months except that the date alone brings me peace. I get to enjoy the beginning of a season where most people try to be more positive than at other times of the year. This month also brings the next steps in my journey.