October 22, 2024

We were visiting my parents for Halloween, and we were all looking forward to attending the annual fall festival complete with hayrack rides, pumpkin painting, and, of course, candy!  As it neared the time we needed to leave, it became clear that we were not going to make it to the fall festival that year.  My mom was sick with ALSP, and she was having a hard day.  We knew it would be too difficult and wearing on her.  I was afraid she was going to be disappointed.  I was worried my kids were going to be disappointed.  But as it turned out, we had one of the best Halloween celebrations ever!  

We decided to bring the fall festival to my parents house.  My husband and I loaded the kids in the car, drove to Walmart, and spent the next hour walking around the store, laughing, and picking out festival supplies!  Each kiddo got to pick a costume of their choice.  I think that year they decided on Alex from Minecraft, an adorable scarecrow, and an absolutely hilarious Enderman blow-up costume.  We also grabbed some candy for my parents to treat the kids with.  Next up, we picked up carving pumpkins and carving tools.  Craft supplies were next, and we found the perfect $10 box entitled “Build Your Own Monster.”  Finally, we needed to get the sweets for our party.  Naturally, we chose apple cider and pumpkin themed sugar cookies.

My parents were all smiles as we arrived home with our fall haul.  The excitement for the coming festivities was palpable, and the kids were impatient to get started.  

First order of business – try on new costumes!  What a show they put on.  To be honest, the highlight was the blow-up Enderman costume.  Seeing that giant costume on a tiny human was just perfect.  Grandma and Grandpa handed the kids their well earned candy, and all the adults snuck a piece or two (or five), too. 

After changing back to regular play clothes, we headed outside to the picnic table.  There commenced the liveliest pumpkin carving you ever saw.  Laughter filled the air.  Slimy hands flung pumpkin seeds far and wide.  Knives carved happy faces into the pumpkins.  

Once the jack o’ lanterns were completed, the kids were eager to build their monsters.  That cheap craft box was perfect.  It was filled with all the necessary supplies to let creativity go wild.  While building our monsters, we filled our bellies with sweet treats, and we filled our souls with joy.

It wasn’t the Halloween celebration we had planned; it was so much better.  My mom was relaxed and comfortable in her familiar environment, surrounded by those she loved the most.  The kids soaked up every ounce of attention that we showered on them.  We were all happy to be together, partaking in activities that everyone could, and did, enjoy.  Years later, we still talk about this day.  I am so thankful to have this memory to cherish.

When someone you love is ill with a debilitating disease, it can affect and taint every aspect of life causing disruptions to plans and changes to traditions.  One thing I learned through the duration of my mom’s illness is that while changes and disruptions will happen, they do not have to overshadow or deplete the joy that is still to be found in life.

So I encourage you to embrace all the challenges life throws at you and turn those unexpected changes into profound moments of connection and love.