Shovels (6

Just a Thought...

For Gourd’s Sake!

Seasonal Joke number 1 beautifully placed in the title – check. Armfuls of ghoulish sweets for putrid pests to purloin – check. Finally, something to make me look like a Zombie (passes mirror and realises final point already achieved!). We are absolutely killing this Halloween season, people (pun number 2)!

Ok, I will come down from the silly step. Halloween is a time of year that evokes a lot of different emotional responses. For some it is a time of fabulous fun, dressing up, trick or treating and copious amounts of sweetie eating. For others it is more traditional, drawing on the Gaelic festival of Samhain, marking the end of the harvest season and celebrating what has been while honouring the winter to come. There are those that it creates fear for, those with anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. The elderly or those living alone may also feel scared by an unexpected knock at the door or a passing crowd of horror-clad kids. For me it is the time to demonstrate the fullness of our generosity of spirit (actually didn’t intend a pun there!). What I mean by this is that we each afford another the generosity of our spirit and consideration.

So, to those who wish to throw themselves into trick or treat then I say have a spooktacular time (3!). If you wish to be present in a more pagan observance, then I wish you plentiful pumpkins and a happy harvest. And, to those who just wish it was November already and Halloween had been and gone, I truly respect your fears and want you to have the confidence to convey them. Tell a friend, don’t be alone, pop a notice on your door and feel no shame. Let us all respect the wishes of others and enjoy our wants and needs kindly.

As for me, well I will be relaxing on the sofa with my sacred Midsomer Murders (because John Nettles is therapy in my world) and wondering if I can add a bauble or 2 to the current look and make it work for Christmas parties – Zombie Chic will be all over the Winter ‘22 catwalk!

By Fliss Goldsmith of Belper

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