La Vida

We're talking November of 2009 here. I mean, it's getting late in many ways. Gotta tell you I signed up for S.S. last month, although I'm still looking for a job (they let you do that, God bless 'em). It's also late in the current year. Two weeks ago Mama and I went over to Atlanta (rain going and sun coming back) to celebrate Halloween with all kinds of family---it gets complicated. I'll just say that it doesn't get any better than that. It was the kids mainly.

See, mine are grown, and their's are working on it, but they all live in a transition type of neighborhood, and have all kinds of friends. The main thing as far as Halloween is concerned is that there are large numbers of them. My first ex-wife who was hosting the party apologized for the poor turnout on account of the rain. What! There must have been a hundred kids at the door. I, to whom Halloween is the most important holiday of the year, have been used to operating at the spiritual poverty level of a dozen or so. I would ransom my soul for such a neighborhood.

The little ones get to you. "Trick or treat!" "Thank you." Those are good first words to learn in America. The parents come with them to be sure they get it right, you can tell it's important. I had my scary accent all ready, but I just couldn't use it most of the time. Sometimes I feel more Christmasy at Halloween than at Christmas. Well, shoot , at Christmas you give to friends and family. On All Hallows Eve you give to everybody.

Anyway, everybody ate mucho gusto, thanks for the grits and ribs Sunday morning. That just polished off a superb weekend. It only remains to thank my sister for directing us to an unfamiliar route home through sunlight, autumn leaves, and uncertainty. We made it.

Feliz dia de los muertos,
Daddy