My Name is Kris and I Blah-g

This morning Michaela was her talkative self. She usually babbles about whatever and changes subjects quickly. Half the time I have no idea what she’s talking about because I am sure she is processing information in her little head thinking that I am part of that conversation she is having with herself. Her questions will usually be totally out of context and unfortunately, I am not a mind reader. This morning, however she asked an interesting question. Mom, why do we celebrate the 4th of July?So, this is one of those moments that parents live for – the chance to provide a little window into the past in American History. This time period is one of my favorites because it was a real time when the country stood up against tyranny and we fought for our freedom, literally. But since Michaela is not quite 7 I would have to keep the explanation brief and simple. So I said, “Did you know that America wasn’t always America? And that we once belonged to England and were ruled by a King? Well, the King was not very nice. And the people here wanted to be free from the King. So we fought in a war and declared ourselves free people so we could become our own country.”"And that happened on the 4th of July?” she asked.”Well, we signed the Declaration of Independence around the 4th of July.” I responded.There was silence as Michaela processed this information. Finally she asked, “Were you in it?”This is that moment in a sitcom where the butt of the joke – ME – looks straight into  the camera and waits for the audience to stop laughing. I could have been pretty insulted but I smiled. And softly explained to my dear, sweet, little girl that “No. Mommy was not in the Revolutionary War. That was over 200 years ago. Mommy is NOT that old.”*sigh* Since when is 37 old?

Despite the soggy evening, Michaela made a beautiful Tinkerbell and absolutely loved her time spent trick-or-treating with her cousins. It was a good evening.

Our house is not known for being high traffic on Halloween. It could be because we live on a cul-de-sac kinda removed from the rest of the houses in the neighborhood. But this year, our street has more children living on it and this year I have managed to decorate the outside of the house. The decorations will be complete by tomorrow night when the pumpkins, black light, fog machine and spooky soundtrack are added. Will it drive people away or lure people in? I dunno. It doesn’t matter. I will say that I have never been a big fan of decorating for Halloween until this year. For some reason I am eager for Halloween this year. In year’s past I would usually gloss over the Halloween decorations in favor of just getting past the holiday so we can get to the real holiday of Christmas. But this year is different. I’m slowing down to enjoy this Halloween more and honestly, Christmas can just wait. I am not even sure how much I am looking forward to Christmas anyway. Christmas is my favorite holiday but it’s been marred this year by it being our first without Mike and a stark reminder of what was going on a year ago. I can’t believe it’s been nearly a year. I feel like if all my years can pass so quickly, living without him knowning I’ll see him soon won’t be so unbearable. But then I run the risk of life passing me by and before I know it, Michaela will have grown and move on and then what? It’s daunting to think of and depressing, too.So, I will slow down and it starts with Halloween. The tombstones are up. The skeleton is emerging from the ground and we plan to yuck it up with pumpkin guts and lots of food. It should be fun.