But in the midst of all these reasons not to do it, I read Karen's and Kat's posts about Gratitude Week. I feel like I'm often grateful, especially for the big stuff, but I can certainly use a push to focus more on the many positive things in my life, things that I should be grateful for but often overlook. And like Kat mentioned, I can also feel graceless in searching for gratitude in the ordinary and mundane in my life.
So I've signed up for Gratitude Week prompts and will try to post something I'm grateful for each day this week. Today I'm grateful that I no longer have small children at home that I need to provide with Halloween costumes. I don't know the reason, but Halloween has never been my favorite holiday. I didn't enjoy dressing up as a child, asking for candy from strangers, or creepy skeletons and bats, and I don't like those things much as an adult. I can choose not to participate, and I'm grateful for that. No more painting golf balls gold and attaching wings to make a golden snitch.
For some bonus gratitude, I'm also grateful that I sewed this cape for Ryan when he was in first grade. He was always easy to please in the costume department because he only ever wanted to dress up as two things. The cape served us well for many years when Ryan used it multiple times as a pirate cape, then a long string of Harry Potter costumes, and Justin even wore it when he played George Washington in second grade.
Justin always wanted to something more difficult like a Tyrannosaurus rex or a cheetah, but I'm grateful we could usually compromise on a costume that made both of us happy. Here he is as Purple Ninja Guy. Surely you've heard of him and his sidekick, Green Ninja Guy!
And I just thought of another one! I'm grateful that I wrote this post as it provided me with a good opportunity to hunt down these photos and reminisce about some really good times with my boys.
Maybe gratitude is additive, multiplicative, or exponential? I'm still not sure about NaBloPoMo, but I've enjoyed the first day of Gratitude Week, so we'll see ...
Great post - I love seeing the boys in their costumes. And there's nothing quite so versatile as a black cape. Cheers to gratitude!
ReplyDeleteOh, I am so with you on the Halloween thing... Thank you for sharing your delightful trick-or-treaters this morning. That cape certainly got a lot of mileage over the years! (A black cape was the most versatile item in our "costume closet" here, too. Zorro. Vampire. Darth-whatever. You name it, a cape almost always works!) Although I didn't sign up, officially, for Gratitude Week, it is much in my mind -- as I need to focus on the gratitude this year, myself. I hope you decide to come along for the NoBloPoMo journey, Bonny. (My motto? A picture is worth a thousand words -- and never so much as during NoBloPoMo!) XO
ReplyDeleteThis post is so perfect. While I was not a fan of Halloween myself, my kids loved it and I made many, many costumes over the years! Halloween for me is a vicarious holiday - best celebrated through the joy of others (especially children!)
ReplyDeleteAnd, as for NoBloPoMo - I am with Kym - a picture is absolutely worth a thousand words! However, no stress and no pressure are always the best way to go.
oh, this was lovely to share in your walk down memory lane. what lucky boys for all that costume help!
ReplyDeleteand I do think that gratitude is additive/multiplicative/exponential. it just grows and grows and grows once you dip into it.
so glad to have you joining along!
Those costumes are wonderful! (I've never been very good at this holiday either.) I'm glad you got some smiles going through the photos though. That is always fun. :-)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, sister! Halloween is NOT my thing, either. (I did like the candy, tho!) How many times did a default to "HOBO" as my costume as a kid. (A lot!) I had a couple of good years when my kids were little, and I always enjoyed & appreciated others' enthusiasm and creativity, even if I can't quite muster it myself.
ReplyDeleteMy mother was a willing costumer during the month of October. She outfitted several of us in really great homemade costumes. As an adult I'd rather hide in the basement than answer the door. I enjoy reading others NaBloPoMo posts, but I'm bowing out (as usual).
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely way to start gratitude week!
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet post filled with love. Be grateful for the time to remember is a very powerful statement.
ReplyDeleteso so adorable!! Halloween costume deciding was the most stressful for me. I could come up with a zillion ideas, it was convincing those kids...
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing you won't be surprised to learn that I, too, HATED Halloween (costumes, candy, scary, ....) but it's looking at my present - not my past - that's changed my mind. Super impressed with your creativity in the costume department - and that you have the photos handy to show it! (p.s. Ryan was a most awesome Harry - there was a Harry in Charlie's neighborhood last night and it made my heart sing ... yep, extra York patties for that one for sure :-)
ReplyDeleteLOVE the costume photos! That's a great snitch.
ReplyDeleteLove that you are joining in gratitude week and what you found even in your first post. Those faces! The memories! And the appreciation of not having to do it anymore, I so get that. xo
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