The ever-changing faces of special days
HodgePodge by Charlie Hodge
Odd, as time goes by, the significance and importance we place on certain ‘days’ within our lives. How they line up in our world, their significance and how we approach them. This column winds up between Halloween and an Armistice Day on the wane.
Both have played much larger roles – or at least different scenarios. This year is a prime example.
Not sure about your neighbourhood but mine was extremely tame and quiet on Halloween, which I suppose is relevant considering I live in what was briefly referred to as the ‘orange zone’ between Bernard and Sutherland, Burtch and Gordon. Not a lot of families with youngsters.
I suppose there’s the thought process that we ‘did not reap what we did not sow’ since we did not carve any pumpkins or hang many inviting Halloween decorations. Clearly we were not highly marketing the free candy game. Still, we did enjoy four groups of little tikes from the neighbourhood we hoped would show up. They were the lucky winners of a mound of goodies
Sadly, though, there was a lack of enthusiasm even shown by those kids as well. It seemed to me that the accommodating parents had most of the fun.
Halloween has slowly slipped away as a fun family event over the past twenty years. I believe it’s spiral into the doldrums began back in the late 1990’s when sickos started making Halloween dangerous for kids with hot pennies given out on trays and pins and other nasty items put in candies. When innocence and fun became a concern for the kids and the ha-ha in Halloween disappeared.
I am not sure if Halloween will ever make a full-fledged fun comeback – and not so sure that it’s important it does.
Meanwhile, tonight as I sit here my heart feels heavy thinking about the other ‘big’ day we are preparing for – Remembrance Day.
November 11th has always been a huge day in my family’s world – on both my parents’ side. We have a long, deep military background and like most Canadians have deep historical connection to the day.
The United States’ election is poised to take place tomorrow, five days prior to Remembrance Day.
That reality only takes on a more somber role and one I greet with significant trepidation when it comes to the state of danger I feel our world peace and safety is at.
I sadly admit to being an Eeyore when acknowledging the hatred and insecurity created by the hostilities constantly threatened through various countries such as China, Russia, North Korea, the entire Middle East, and worst of all the mad man who wants to try to run the United States again – Donald Trump.
For years I have felt very concerned with North Korea’s ready-to-rumble blatant anxiety to do battle with the United States. I am thankful it has not happened yet. So as I put this typewriter to rest I am hearing that 10,000 North Koreen troops have prepared to move into Europe which marks the largest amount they have had in Europe since WW2.
By the time this column reaches your hands this day ballots will be getting tallied to determine to see if Trump will either be President or claiming that he should be.
I am terrified how ugly Denial Two will be.
And Remembrance Day is less than a week away.
