I’m re-posting a blog piece from last year because it rings true again this year. My sister-in-law’s sister asked her Facebook friends to be sensitive to those who have lost loved ones by considering how they approach their Halloween decorations. For those of you who don’t know, we lost my sister-in-law to suicide in July. I’ll admit that it has changed the tone of Halloween for us this year. My son is particularly sensitive to anything he perceives as ‘dark.’ I can only imagine how the holiday will affect the families of those who just lost their lives in the recent shooting in Oregon.

Observing Halloween, or All Hallow’s Eve, has its place. It can allow us to explore our fear of death in a healthy way and honor our departed. For my part, celebrating horror is not on the list of ways to process the loss of those we love.

Here is my original post……………………………………………………………………………….. Continue reading →