Reflections of the Past

Awoke to a gorgeous sunrise on this Halloween day. It was the first time in many years past that I didn't have mums and a carved pumpkin on the front porch, but this scene more than made up for those past enjoyments.

Besides as I looked down into the recessed boardwalk porch below, a little tissue ghost waved up at me and then blew about the leaves to my delighted amusement.

I usually celebrate Samhain (Sow' en) on this day and it is simply a time to reflect on the past and celebrate the coming seasons (kinda like a spiritual New Year). As usual, I always think of my ancestors, mainly Grandma and Grampa McCoy who were so important to me growing up.

I see Grampa in the disguise of a sea gull, with his white hair and skinny legs that were usually dressed in very classy plaid pants. He encouraged my love of poetry and literature and he would be very happy to see me reading Jane Eyre on the beach, as opposed to some trashy novel. He had me reading Shakespeare at the age of twelve and would quiz me on content and the deeper message... it was always the deeper message that he encouraged me to find.

Grandma was very special to me and I had to go to my archives to find a special photo for her. She was soft , patient, quiet and loving. She taught me to do needlework, gave me a love of cooking and baking and loved to tell me stories about her childhood. She listened patiently to everything I said and always made me feel smart and special. It's funny that both hid their love of the occult from each other as my grandfather would whisper stories of the "little people" while my grandmother would reveal mysteries of things to come having been born with "the veil" which meant she had the power of psychic ability. Love and miss them and are thankful that they were both a big part of my life.

Tonight I won't have candles to light, and won't be giving candy to trick or treaters, but since we are only one of two couples at this old hotel and the winds should be picking up tonight, we will no doubt climb the staircase to the veranda and play find the ghoul face in the carpet as we enjoy the bite of the last October sunset.

-Wendy