211028 Sentinel, Halloween

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The origin of Halloween comes from a pagan festival called Samhain.

The evening of Samhain was when ancient Celts disguised themselves in animal skins to hide from ghostly spirits. It was originally celebrated on May 13th, but a Catholic pope named Boniface IV somehow changed it to October 31st. That is when the church celebrated its All Hallows Eve, the night before its All Saints Day November 1st. Hundreds of years ago Europeans began costuming as saints of the church on All Hallows Eve. The tradition almost didn’t make it to the north American shores because the early Puritan settlers did not want a pagan ritual on this country’s shores. As luck would have it, the Irish came in great numbers and they began the Halloween tradition here. Candies and treats began as bribes to the costumed youth as payment so there would be no tricks played upon the household.

Here below are 3 generations of hand made costumes in our family.
The first is my beloved bride (long before we met) in her costume made by her mother, Grandma Mickey.

The next is our daughter Annie with her hand made costume of the evil witch in the film Snow White.

And the last is granddaughter Hailey with a costume she made 2 years ago. This is just one of many she has made, all by hand.

‘Halloween’

At the end of October
There’s one special night
When all the ghosts and goblins take flight
We all become children
And there’s nothing to fear
On this wonderful night of the year

Grownups and kids alike
Dress in their favorite costumes
Princesses, reapers and witches with brooms

They travel the neighborhoods
Where a false sense of danger looms
They knock on doors disguised as tombs

“Trick or treat!
Smell my feet!
Give me something good to eat!”

They fill their poke with bits of joy
While smiles appear on each girl and boy
As they collect a candy, a ring, or a toy

The princesses, ghosts and cowboys soon grow weary
They return home with tired feet and eyes all bleary
Mom tucks them into bed with her eyes quite teary

Another memory is made