HOPE E. TREMBLAY
I mentioned last week that I really love Halloween. It is my favorite holiday and quite possibly my favorite day of the year.
I was asked recently why I love it so much and I credit my grandmother, known to all as “Moo.”
I was raised by my grandparents, and Moo wasn’t the kind of grandma who baked cookies and spoiled you. She was the kind of grandma who loved unconditionally in an unconventional way. For instance, she really enjoyed scaring people. Perhaps she thought a good scare would chase away fears. For example, my Aunt Lisa – who was a sister to me – had this troll doll when I was younger. It wasn’t one of those adorable, neon-fuzzy-haired trolls. It was more like the troll who lives under a bridge. It was creepy and bore a striking resemblance to the Zuni doll that came to life in the “Trilogy of Terror” movie.
One night when I was maybe 12 or 13, I opened the door to my third-floor bedroom, turned on the light and there in the middle of the staircase was this terrifying troll. Moo had put him there. Apparently, she thought I did not need to sleep that night.
She was also the kind of grandma who dressed as an old hag witch on Halloween night and sat at the front door, creepy music playing in the background, and greeted trick-or-treaters with her famous cackle.
Our house was always decorated for Halloween – never over the top, but there were pumpkins and witches and costumes.
Moo was great at making costumes. Some of my favorite childhood costumes included George Washington, complete with knickers and a white wig. One year I was a scarecrow and she actually stuffed my plaid shirt and overalls with leaves and straw. That year I attended the Westfield Boys Club Halloween party. It was just the Boys Club back then, and it was located in what is now the Samaritan Inn shelter. I remember two things about that Halloween: It was SO much fun; and I was SO itchy!
My very favorite costume was a Flapper. Moo made the dress for me out of turquoise taffeta with white organza ruffled trim. I remember she insisted I had to be as authentic as possible and wear flesh colored silk stockings rolled to just below my knees, which she also insisted I smear with pink “rouge.”
Over the years, my love of Halloween grew and as an adult I decorate our home with my beloved Halloween collections, including numerous witches, black cats, bats and owls, many of which I have purchased during my almost-yearly weekend trips to Salem with friends.
Moo passed away, fittingly in October, 14 years ago. At the time we owned a former church rectory and when she died it was completely decorated for Halloween. My family deemed it the perfect place to welcome family and friends after her funeral service, and it was.
So, every year when I celebrate Halloween, I am celebrating Moo. And that is a tradition I plan to pass on to my children.
Feel free to share why and how you celebrate holidays! Send me a note at [email protected].
