Is it Halloween yet?

Halloween is a big holiday at my house. It’s about as stupendous as Christmas. At least that’s how my son sees it. He is nine and it doesn’t get any better than Halloween for him. For most of us it’s a one day event, lasting a few hours. But for my son, (I’ll call him “Johnny” to protect his innocence) the anticipation and preparations begin way in advance. For years his concern has been the same… what should he morph himself into? Which will be the most effective Halloween costume? His imagination is impressive. His enthusiasm is amazing. His chronic, and often random discussions about Halloween; his preoccupation with a costume; the countdown; and then changing his mind a dozen times drives me absolutely … Okay, you get the picture. I blame myself. I’m sure his preoccupation with the perfect Halloween costume began when he was 3 and I dressed him as a porcupine. He had no idea what a porcupine was, but it was the most outstanding, and detailed handmade costume I, to this day, have seen. Afraid he would refuse to wear it at the last minute, I unmercifully convinced him that this was the greatest costume in the world. He continues to search each year for the runner up. This year I have kept a diary of the roller coaster ride that leads up to the big day. Aug 22: Johnny wants to know actual day of Halloween. To make sure he has it technically correct, he asks his sister to show him the calendar on her cell phone. He thinks he might be a sailor and I can see that he is beginning to plot his course. Labor Day: He announces that he plans to be a clown for Halloween. He is gently reminded that he has plenty of time to think about it. He is convinced that he has it all worked out in his head and describes it to us daily. First day of school: He wants a nasty rumor dispelled. Johnny asks if this is the last year he has a Halloween parade in school. I tell him yes, and add that there are no more Halloween parties after fourth grade either. Shocked and appalled, he gets on the bus but not before he makes me guess how many days until Halloween. Seventh day of school: Johnny decides that since school celebrations are coming to an end, he must make this year’s costume a great one. When I ask about the clown and sailor idea he looks puzzled. He’s thinking along the lines of Beetle Juice and asks if I can buy him a pin-stripped suit. This idea lasts for about eight days until he realizes he will have to wear his blue suit in the closet. Sept. 16: While in a Wal- Mart store he sees a realistic toy sword and a clear mask. He believes these would be great for a pirate costume. I remind him that he was a pirate one year and still has all the pirate paraphernalia. Again he is reminded that there is still time. Daily now, he counts down the days until Halloween. There are 45 left. Sept. 23: Johnny has given this some serious thought and has also figured out that he needs to rework “the system,” meaning me. Diplomatically he states that if he can get the clear mask, he can wear his old blue suit after all and be the Joker from Batman. This, he believes will please me. I am not convinced. I can see the sparks fly as he gets ready to change his mind, again. Sept. 30: In a store, he comes across a man’s rimmed hat complete with a feather. However, the hat makes him look more like a pimp than the Joker. I’m already exhausted from this and it’s not even October. Oct. 1: The Joker? Old news. Thirty days and counting. Oct. 12: He thinks a hobo or a bum is a funny costume and tells my husband he’ll need to borrow some of his clothes, maybe shoes too. In the attic he discovers a derby style hat attached to an old plastic skeleton. Nineteen days to go Oct. 21: Wearing the suit jacket and hat, holding a weapon from an old pirate costume, while finally moving his violin case that I asked him to put away 20 times since he arrived from school, he passes my husband in the hallway. “Who are you?” my husband asks, “you look like a gangster.” “Mom! I totally know what I’m going to be!” yelled my elated son. Oct. 25: He’s tried that gangster costume on 50 times in the last four days. Only six more days to go.