Punk Rocker Nostalgia

I have been really nostalgic as we have approached Halloween. It's probably due to the move across the country, marriage, being an full-grown adult- all of the above.
I LOVED halloween when I was a kid, as I am sure you did too! I remember my grandparents' homemade black cat body-suits. I found them yesterday in a box in our basement and pressed my face against the cat costume; I swore I could still smell my Pawpaw's Obsession cologne. I remember one Halloween, the golf cart speeding down the street at about 60 mph with my Pawpaw dressed in the annual black cat costume and one giant gorilla passenger (one of Leah's friends). Hilarious sight to see! I realized after my grandparents passed away, that my holiday traditions were now up to me and my siblings. That I would define traditions for my children one day, the memories would be up to us!
I dressed as a punk rocker, like, 3 years in a row. I just wanted a reason to use that colored hair spray in a can. Maybe it was Bon Jovi's influence or maybe it was a silly attempt for this chubby kid to be cool and grown up like her sister. There was one year I had a homemade clown costume with facepaint, round red nose, clown collar, black leotard and turquoise pants. Sound cute huh? Well, for some reason my mom stuffed my turquoise pants with cotton to make them look oversized- except they were just lumpy and made this cute clown look like she was smuggling candy. I suppose these are the memories that gave me the confidence as I grew up.
Confidence. That is something I have been pondering as this "holiday" has been approaching. I always hear conflicting spiritual opinions about halloween. But when I think back- I think about the confidence it takes for a little bitty kid to walk up to an unknown door, ring the doorbell and say "trick or treat." I suppose confidence is gained in many other ways, but for me, I think about how excited I was to get off the school bus and put on my costume. When I have children, I want them to have these memories, even if they are terrible homemade costumes that leave behind photos to haunt them the rest of their adult lives. I can't wait to hear my doorbell tonight and give candy to little excited kiddos!