I have come to a strange realization: that I miss the commercialization of holidays. Granted, I think it’s out of hand and ill-intentioned, but I miss being reminded that holidays are coming up. The commercialization really helps me get in the mood for holidays, but I have managed to make my own celebrations and to spread American culture. I find solace in celebrating American holidays, even if they aren’t exactly the same as they are back home.
Yesterday was the strangest Halloween of my life. It didn’t end with a self-inflicted candy coma, it was not ghoulish or filled with scary movies, but it was my own, which made it special. I made a sign last week and posted it on my door inviting my kids to come and learn about HALLOWEEN. They came last night and we bobbed for apples and they decorated pre-cut cardboard masks I had made.
The bobbing for apples event was absolutely hilarious! My kinds think I’m crazy, but laughter rang throughout the village as heads went under water in hopes of retrieving an apple. As we munched on our tasty treat, the kids colored their masks. They were instructed to go home until the next day and to come back to my place wearing their masks to “trick-or-treat”. I made an “Angel of Love” costume and painted my face with red hearts (thanks to the red face paint Vivian sent to me in a package months ago—it came to great use, thanks!). I wore all read and attached cardboard heart shaped wings. I was the lovable laughing stock of the kids. When they came to trick-or-treat, they were so cute, and some even came with more than just their mask—they improvised to add on to their costume. I handed out little packages of cookies, a marshmallow and lollypop.
Not quite like Halloween in America, but the closest I could get in Lesotho. The smiles (and sugar-induced high) on the faces of my kids (what I could see behind their masks) were priceless. I love my life!
Nov1
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