living within the seasons doesn't require anyone to celebrate a made up holiday
surely you aren't surprised that we don't "celebrate" Halloween
yes......the pressure is there from family......friends......loved ones to include the children in activities that are in essence.....fun
however
we'd rather gather together to celebrate all the people who gave their life for Someone....Something....more important than a bag full of candy....the day after is much more spiritually enhancing
it seems today's "holiday" has overshadowed the essence of this time of harvest + saints + souls
even though racing around a neighborhood and getting all six of your children in and out of the car to run up to beg for candy from strangers while inundating them with sights and sounds of the demonic may sound like fun to some....it doesn't to us...
however
dressing up and enjoying the seasons does...as does raising our children to always think of what He wants from us....what we can do for Him....to be strong...to be faithful
raising four boys, we do so in the spirit of this idea, being open to their ideas and activities they want to do on the farm with their friends
it is not uncommon to see at any given day an "army man" ducking down into his man-made foxhole (seriously...the oldest two boys dug a 3' deep x 12' foxhole in the back prairie)
recently the two oldest boys had a few friends over (as did our oldest daughter last year at this time) to play
be free
be boys
a surprise meal of "mush" and a slice of bread for the soldiers
(the mush was browned sausage with a homemade white sauce)
the meal was served from a cast iron pot and an old ladle that was used to plop it onto the tin plates
it was hilarious......
when I came out of the house and rang the bell....they all came running as I yelled "chow time!!"
an order of "line up!" was issued as a plate and metal spoon was thrust into their chests
the dish was plopped on and one kid just stood there...so I said "move along soldier!!" he looked at our son and said "what is this?" I responded "slop!...now move along...."
the grin on my face told him I was not feeding him something rotten :)
that boy's brother then said... "I don't care what it is...I'm starving"
our kids....our boys are starving for their imaginations to be fed....they need the necessary food to help them grow in strength upon temptations......there is no denying that the world can influence your thinking and try to coerce you to do things you don't really want to do ("but everyone else is doing it")
grow together as a family.....starts by praying together as a family.......and listening to their hopes and dreams
whether you choose to celebrate this day or not: stay safe in both spirit and self
peace + blessings,
I love your story about the slop you fed the boys! Too funny!
ReplyDeleteWe do celebrate Halloween at our house, or used to anyway, as our kids are all teens or beyond. At our church we celebrate all the saints who passed on before us and honor their memories.
I think its a good mix of fun and tradidion, and we do try to teach the kids the difference between the two.
I love how children bring so much life into a home! Enjoy! I had to do a double look at the photos of the boys. They look like true soldiers! I'm with you on the Halloween bit. We didn't do Halloween either. Our children say they didn't feel left out.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say thank-you for your view of halloween. You hit it right on, and thats exactly why we don't do it.
ReplyDeleteBlessings~
Bonnie
I'm with you and Bonnie - the popular version of All Hallows is distasteful and disturbing - and why stuff children with candy?
ReplyDeleteI love your boot camp - do you play reveille for them? Got the trumpet?
I'm so glad you wrote this. I couldn't agree more with you. I personally think there should be an end to all 'holidays' and we should celebrate and be thankful for the reasons of the different seasons.
ReplyDeleteI'm always in awe of the way you view things and teach your children what's truly important.
Hope you are enjoying the fall ~
Sarah xo
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ReplyDeleteHappy All Souls Day, my friend!
ReplyDeleteOff to the vigil mass tonight in just a bit.
XO,
Anne
I agree with you 100%, Anne-Marie. I don't know where this "holiday" came from, but I certainly wouldn't miss it if was done away with. I adore your version of celebrating the day. You are such a blessing to your friends and family, sweetie! :)
ReplyDeletexoxo laurie
You are my hero!! My kids did do the dress up, trick or treating thing...but we also went to church for all soul and all saints day. At their school, if you dressed like a saint you got extra credit :). But the older I get I'm totally with you, why inundate them with the demonic sights and sounds...this world to too full of it as it is!
ReplyDeleteI believe the reason that Halloween has become such a huge "holiday" is because demonic influence has increased dramatically. When I was a child, (that makes me sound ancient), most costumes weren't at all scary, nor were decorations. Kids don't need what Halloween has become!!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I do want to say that I positively love your blog and always admire the quiet, soothing beauty of it. However, I must remark that I feel it a bit unfair that you dub Halloween/Samhain a made up holiday because it does honor the beliefs you cherish and hold dear about your own religion. Yes, some of the old traditions of the marked day have evolved and really become quite over done and garish but one could also observe the same for many other holidays. I digress, though. What I mean to say is that while the day may not be important to you, it once was and still is to those who follow the old Celtic beliefs and it is certainly a real holiday in their eyes, just as Christmas and Easter is to you. We can hold fast to our personal beliefs but still be empathetic to all others. I do hope you chose to read this in a gentle and respectful tone. Have a lovely day.
ReplyDeleteHalloween was my favorite holiday when I was young. It was the night to dress up and go out with friends for a couple hours without adults. It was all about make believe. We thought it was great fun to think possibly the little old lady that wore black all the time was a witch with a black kettle on her stove. I've never liked the dark side of life but I'm happy my children enjoyed the excitement of Halloween. We've never celebrated evil. More like celebrating being a child. I'm not happy what Christmas has become. I don't cancel Christmas due to the way some celebrate. A person that has values can live in the world without becoming part of it. I've always felt the test of goodness comes when we live among it and not in it. If that makes any sense. I respect your beliefs I just took offense implying that people sent their children out to beg from people. Some really do send their children out to be greedy that doesn't mean everyone does. Nor do most people celebrate evil.
ReplyDeleteKathy
No trick or treat...no candy...no costumes, but "playing war" is o.k.?
ReplyDelete.....my sentiments exactly. Peace
ReplyDeleteI have always enjoyed reading your blog. However, I was a little upset about your view of Halloween. I have 4 wonderful boys who have always loved Halloween.They have dressed up as a dragon,a cow,a scarecrow, clowns, civil war soldiers, etc. It's one day a year they can run through the neighborhood dressed up. It' fun! I live in an historical neighborhood. Our neighbor dresses up as Abraham Lincoln and tells the kids historical facts about Abe. The neighbors sit by their fire pits. We share meals. I don't know what neighborhoods you have visited, but ours is in no way demonic.
ReplyDeleteI admire the way you raise your children and there are many similarities in the way we are raising ours, but please be careful how you judge what I may expose my children too. Kathy
Its funny how families embrace and try to deter different things that society makes a big deal of, traditions, toys, celebraties...we do not celebrate Halloween in Australia, although it is starting to creep in here and there...I for one would not choose to have my children exposed to the gruesome stuff that is around...we also chose not to do the 'army' thing in our home, guns have never been bought or used as toys and I try to talk to my son about war in an unglorified way ...but I see you dont mind your boys and their friends role playing as soldiers...please dont think I am being judgmental, we all differ as mothers and I think maybe the country we live in sometimes can influence some choices of the ideas we raise our children with...
ReplyDeleteI wonder then if you and others dont celebrate do you answer the door to children who do? If so do you give candy?
ReplyDeleteDo you send children away...
I have never felt my children were begging for candy. Thats a funny way of saying it...
I have mixed feelings on this topic but can appreciate your opinion.
Our family had a blast on Halloween, and there was nothing demonic about it. We had lots of fun, friends and frivolity, as well as some very creative costumes. Not only did we have a good evening, with a bonfire, live music, chili and meeting all the neighbors, we had the fun of anticipation and pulling together all the costumes. It was a great night!
ReplyDelete