November 2023 Newsletter
Hello!
“It warms my heart.” That is what I said to the costumed adults in the yard after experiencing their very scary Halloween maze. I had tried to comfort the little boy ahead of me whose father was adamant about going through the maze. I tried to tell him it was fun, because it was all pretend. I smiled big and tried to look comforting and happy. He was not convinced. I had forgotten I was dressed as a witch.
Why do I love being scared and others don’t? My neighbor had made the trek with me to the maze and when I looked behind me after the maze to share my joy with her, I realized she wasn’t there. I caught up with her heading home. I assumed she liked being scared like me. She does not. She said at the first jump scare she would have popped someone in the face. I agreed it was good she did not go in.
Addison, Sam and I love being scared. Valleyscare was our biggest joy, we hope that is comes back again. I ruined Josephine, early on, with a carnival spook house, very tame, but at the wrong age for her. I hope the little boy will forgive his father and give haunted houses another chance.
“It warms my heart.” Why? I looked on the internet; supposedly being scared can release dopamine, a “feel good” hormone; that must happen for me. But I don’t like horror movies very much and I don’t like sky-diving. Just haunted houses, because it is very clear is it not real, nor can it kill me. My mother and I would go to Valleyscare together. Sometimes we brought my children. But we would go by ourselves too and we just loved every minute of it. As I have said before Halloween was my mother’s favorite holiday. My siblings understand this as well; we are grateful to my brother Eric, for providing the Halloween party each year.
“It warms my heart.” Family traditions can do this as well. We have Thanksgiving coming up soon. Whether you create traditions with family or with friends, I pray these festive gatherings warm your heart. Feeling joy and excitement, it a true blessing, however you do that—haunted houses or not.
Celebrate what is real, God’s love for you and share it with those you call family or friend.