I was all prepared to write a light hearted post on Halloween in Haddonfield. Such a fun time in our area. Children so excited to choose just the right costume and to be given permission to walk down Kings Highway after dark in that special costume.
I spent time this week on line reading about the spooky haunted houses in Haddonfield and the horror movies depicting Halloween in Haddonfield. I thought about Stephen Spielberg, as a child, living in the Haddons and listening to the eerie sound of the train passing in the middle of the night in Haddon Heights and writing Ghost Train.
I was going to start this post with the old Rocky and Bullwinkle…”Eenie, meeney, chilly beanie , the spirits are about to speak”. I was hoping to share my frustration that no one ever trick or treats at my house even though I have stooped to bribery and bought the full size candy bars
Then I received the post about the dead body found yesterday in Haddonfield. All day long my Email kept pinging with further developments about the cause of death and the identity of the person found dead. A young man; just 26 years old. His cause of death at this writing still unknown.
This news made me reflect on the deeper meaning of this holiday. In many countries October 31 and November 1 are set aside to honor the dead. Life is short and we all have lost people we love. A day set aside to honor our deceased loved ones is, I think, an excellent idea. Halloween is loads of fun but maybe we should put the heart back into the celebration and teach our children the value of remembering and honoring our deceased loved ones. What do you think? Do you have any ideas how we can do this?
“Our dead are never dead to us, until we have forgotten them.” George Eliot
Wishing you a weekend full of fond remembrances.
Bernadette
Bernadette – First, I love the trail of thought in this post. I felt like I was peeking inside your writer’s mind. Very cool. Also, my mom and I were just talking about this. She goes to church on November 1st to light a candle for our loved ones who are no longer here on earth. She said to me, “Who will light a candle for me when I’m gone?” I promised her I would remember to go to church on November 1st when she is no longer here. Sad to think about, but you’re right, there is a much deeper meaning to this holiday.
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As a child in Finland, we had a day to remember our loved ones that have passed on. My mother would always light a candle in the window. Sometimes she would even take a candle to the cemetery. I am so thankful for the many loves ones that I had a privilege to know and love, My life is richer because for a time they were in my life.
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