Memory of Halloween by Kelley Grealis
Halloween
– The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Andy
Williams dubbed Christmas as being the most wonderful time of the
year, but I have to respectfully disagree. Halloween is the
most wonderful time of the year!
I've loved Halloween since I was a kid. What’s not to love about
dressing up, playing make believe, and collecting a whole lot of
tricks & treats?
My
family made a big ordeal out of Halloween. One of my brothers was
quite the artist and he created props including headstones, bats,
ghosts and jack-o-lanterns. My dad would set up the props, including
lights. My mom and brothers would get dressed up and spooky music
would play in the background as my mom greeted the trick-or-treaters.
Here’s
a picture of our house in the late 70’s with some of the Halloween
decorations.
I
got in on the action too. Here I am, around 2 years old. I’m
dressed in my favorite Wonder Woman Underoos (remember those???), but
in typical Cleveland style, I had to wear a coat over my costume.
Some
Halloweens, my costume was forced over a winter jacket because it was
snowing!
See
all those leaves by the ghost? My brother would bury himself &
then scare unsuspecting trick-or-treaters. I’d have fun sitting on
the porch watching the unsuspecting kids.
Here’s
another pic of my mom posing in front of one of the tombstones.
As
I got older, I played a bigger role in the festivities. Here’s a
picture of me dressed as a witch as I headed out to claim my goodies.
And
here’s me horsing around with my mom once I was done
trick-or-treating.
But
I wasn't always a creature of the night. I had some sweet costumes
too. And of course they were the classic plastic dress and plastic
mask. I recall having a Cinderella costume, but I couldn't find a
picture. Here’s a pic of me dressed as Tinkerbell.
As
I grew up, I didn't grow out of dressing up! Here’s me as a
dinosaur. I borrowed that costume off of a younger neighbor. Can you
tell it was too small & I forced myself into it?
And
here’s me as a drum major.
Some
may say I was too old for Halloween by the time I hit high school,
but I disagree. Here’s me circa 1991 or 1992 dressed as a vampire,
or course! I've loved all things vampire since my mom hooked me on
the Dark Shadows TV reruns. Barnabas Collins is hands down the
awesomest vampire ever!
Handing
out treats at this house, one year we dressed my mom up as a
scarecrow and sat her in a chair. As trick-or-treaters approached the
house, she’d spring from the chair and scare them. That was a lot
of fun.
One
year, Homecoming landed on Halloween. My high school was located off
of a residential street. Of course my date and I and another couple couldn't resist going trick-or-treating before the dance! I think
that was my junior year.
I’ll
never out grow Halloween & still love it as much today as I did
back then. I love decorating the house & going to costume
parties. I've been a pirate, the devil, a beer wench, and a vampire
of course!
I’d
love to hear from you! Comment below on your favorite Halloween
memory or costume. Happy Haunting!
And
if you’re looking for a vampire read, may I suggest The
Descendant Vampire Series?
The
Descendant – A
Vampire Tale of Biblical Proportions – reveals the origin of the
vampire through the experiences of a woman who discovers that she’s
a descendant of the first vampire.
The
Search – When
answers are found, will they be what Allison is looking for? Book 2
is the continuation of Allison’s journey and is chock full of
twists, turns, vampire politics, and the return of some familiar
fangs.
Buy
Links
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Kelley-Grealis/e/B008I3D9OA/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1379022428&sr=8-2
For
a complete list of all places to purchase my books, please visit the
Store on my website.
Social
Media Links
Website:
http://www.kelleygrealis.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/KelleyGrealis
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/KelleyGrealis
About
the Author
What
do most people do when they go through a midlife crisis – buy a
sports car or get a makeover? Not Kelley Grealis. Her career midlife
crisis reignited her passion for creative writing.
A
worker-bee by day, writer by night, Kelley is the author of The
Descendant Vampire Series. When she’s not writing, she enjoys
spending time with her husband and their two cats, riding her Harley,
enjoying what few days of sunshine there are in Cleveland, and
dreaming up the next story she wants to tell. Kelley is a graduate
of both Baldwin Wallace College and Cleveland State University.
Connect with her at http://www.KelleyGrealis.com
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Absolutely LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE the post and the pictures. I think I may have to take your idea on the scarecrow and try to scare some of the kid around here lol. I am so glad to see another adult take a huge part in Halloween. Thank you so much for being a part of this event.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing all your old photos with us! I watched the Dark Shadows reruns too. I made my uncle buy me the new Dark Shadows DVD when it came out (my birthday present!)
ReplyDeleteI only love Halloween for my children. I had my oldest son dressed as: Dumbo, A prince (homemade costume),& Captain Jack Sparrow.
Gosh, I love the photos!!! So cute!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos and memories!
ReplyDelete