Happy Halloween!

Last night was trick-or-treating in my town, so this year's costume (a doctor, complete with scrubs and stethoscope) has been worn and put away leaving me to reflect on some of my past Halloween costumes. I can't remember them all, but I do remember many...a strawberry, a leopard, an M&M, a crash test dummy, an old lady, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Strawberry Shortcake, and Peter Pan. And each has a story--something going on at the time that particularly relates to the costumes. But for today, my favorite is Peter Pan. I wore green tights and one of my dad's button-down shirts with a belt cinching it around my waist. And the hat...jaunty Peter Pan hat with a red feather on the side. Where did this hat come from? I couldn't tell you...but I know that is why I was Peter Pan that year. But even more importantly is the story of the picture in my mind when I think of that costume. The picture that comes to mind is my grandma...the hat on her head tipped sideways, placed there by a joking cousin, the hand holding out a (root) beer, and the great big smile on her face. Family...home...coziness...love, that's the stuff of Halloween that I hold on to.