Joy

  As the holidays approach, I was thinking about how we measure joy! A mish mash up of emotions arrive.  Maybe it is a bit of panic starting to set in or maybe it is this head cold. 

  Halloween is the easiest holiday for me, mischief, tricks n' treats and some Cheese popcorn make me happy. It didn't use to be, that easy!   Daughter always would change her mind about her costume.   I remember one year-I truly wanted to scream.  I had  found a black dress, the top half with colorful polka dots. We had mouse ears, she was going to be Minnie Mouse. I had her costume out, adding some big chunky pearls, when she announced  

"No, Mama I don't want to be Minne."   And the melt down began.

    "You have other costumes, dress up as a ballerina or a witch." I did my best, Wizard of Oz witch    

impression. 

      "No, I want to be a princess."   I looked through everything we had...nothing. We were staying with my Mom. My husband was on a DDG Naval ship headed to Hawaii. In a few months we would fly out to join him.  We were limited, to what fit in our suitcases n' carry-ons.

 This was not my finest moment. I had a bag of clothing, to drop off at the thrift shop. It was stuff the kids had out grown and we were busy with the move and house inspection.   I also  had to run to the grocery store.  As I drove around, I spied the Salvation Army big blue bin.   I thought ok, I will drop them here.  As I approach the  bin, I see this gown.  It is royal purple and has lace,  it is full n' long.  I toss the bag in and grab the gown and run.  Oh, yeah I did!   My daughter sees me, oh, damn!   My son is with her in the parked car, I have the keys. I also moved the vehicle near the bin, so I can see them.  Son is old enough to watch her for a few minutes. She is 3yrs. n' he is 10.  Just so you don't think this is the horror of my story. 

 "What is that Mama?  I saw you...what is that purple thing?"  she kept asking me over and over again.  Now guilt is setting in, but my drop off bag is huge and it is Halloween. I do not have time to take two hungry children to Sal's and shop, rush home get ready for trick or treat.    I told my daughter it is for you.  I knew I had to  make one more stop. I drove to Sal's.  I ran in and made a donation-goodbye guilt.  We arrived home, lugged in groceries and I rushed to wash the gown.

   I cut the bottom off , to fit a 3yr old.  It did fit, but was a big bit in the middle, of course.  So, I tied a scarf my Mom had, around Angela's tummy.  "Mama I do not have a crown?"   Angela scowled.

"You are a Lady in Waiting" I declared.  I didn't bother to explain and she didn't ask.  I ran out on my Mom's back porch and grabbed this clear, plastic cylinder. It fit over a jewelry box-Mom had in a pile, to give to a friend. "Sorry, Mom, but I need this."   I grabbed a glue gun and glued the extra trim of the gown on the plastic crown, then attached some gold trim, I had found.  Grammie took Angela to find some jewelry, while I started dinner.   She was thrilled... yah!   Mom mentions, maybe we should trick or treat, Dorothy first. An elderly lady who really wants to see the kids, but will go to bed early.

 We go to Dorothy's first.   Dorothy recognized my son's costume. He dressed up as Dracula and had the waxy vampire teeth.   She asked my daughter, "What are you a princess?"

"No, I am a Lady in Waiting!"  Angela declared and placed her hands on her hips.

"What are you waiting for?"  Dorothy laughed.

"Why candy of course."  

We all howled with laughter-well yes candy, of course!  

How do your measure joy during the holidays?  Do you laugh things off?  Do you raid bright blue bins?   What was one of your favorite Halloween memories?  And yes, Angela still changes her mind about her costume. Last year, she wanted to enter a Halloween costume contest, at school.   So, you know what I did...?  No, I didn't raid a blue bin, lol.  I went and bought her a store bought Flapper costume.  She didn't argue and loved it~ It was her first store bought costume.   I haven't dared, to ask about this Halloween-go as Lady Gaga...I have plenty of feathers and fake fur around here. Worst case there is bacon in the meat draw....