Halloween

Definitely not my holiday. I will admit that I enjoyed it in the past - particularly for my babies - but it soon faded away for me. Costumes and decorations became more frightening. Even answering the door to countless strangers - that became an extremely anxiety provoking scene. I still did it - even with just the dog and me - but I knew that I was "safe" with him there (even with him barking at every step, knock, and doorbell - he would protect me first).

Then, one day, I spent my Halloween by driving through storms to St. Meinrad's- it was quite the scary weather to be driving in but I made it safely there and back again. While there, I was invested as a Benedictine oblate novice. A journey towards new beginnings.

After returning home to my Momma's house that day, I discovered that I had traveled through tornadoes along my journey. They were so devastating that Halloween trick-or-treating was cancelled until the following evening in the majority of communities of both Kentucky and Indiana. Momma does not "do" Halloween so it was a quiet weekend as we listened to reports of devastation from surrounding areas.

Then, the following Monday ,  I discovered that my civil divorce had been processed on Halloween. How apropos. My husband's favorite holiday  (due to the close proximity of his birthday). And now the weather made sense to me : God frequently "cries" with me.  And for such an abomination of a divorce to be occurring in my life, storms were definitely called for - however, as has happened before, I was kept safe.

So, today is that anniversary. Now he has re-married in a civil ceremony  (while remaining married to me in the eyes of the Church) and I have no desire to take part in any commemoration of this day. Once again, God lets me know that He cares, as I received a package from Japan  (a CD of my favorite Korean band), that wasn't due to arrive until the middle of November.

 Happy All Saints and All Souls Days!