October is a favorite month for lots of folks. Fall is officially under way for most of North America. Leaves are turning vibrant colors. Sweaters are pulled out of cedar chests or spare bedroom closets. High school football teams are gearing up for the Homecoming game and college tailgate parties are at their peak. Oh – I almost forgot – coffee shops are serving up pumpkin spice everything!
Most of those fall signs are in play in north Florida, except I’m still wearing short and t-shirts while sipping my latte’ and the leaves are still green.
Try as I might, I find it hard to get into the fall spirit. And it’s not just because the weather feels only slightly different than August.
In addition to pumpkins and russet-hued leaves adorning doorways, you also see lots of pink ribbons displayed in October. People wearing pink hoodies and ballcaps with pink ribbons on the brim. Pink ribbon magnets on the back of minivans and sports cars alike. October is breast cancer awareness month and the pink ribbon is the symbol acknowledging it.
As the end of October nears, people switch out their decorations to witches, ghosts, spider webs, and cinnamon scented brooms. (I think that’s the witch equivalent of pine scented air fresheners in cars.) Halloween parties and trick or treating intermingle with corn mazes and pumpkin decorating. And, Halloween officially starts the holiday season. Now I can wear shorts and t-shirts while basting the turkey!
So, what’s my problem with Fall?
Well, my sweet mama died of breast cancer 25 years ago at the age of 62. I think of her more often than just in October, of course, but the pink ribbons are a reminder of the battle she lost. And, Rachel’s birthday is Halloween. Until she was about 4, she thought the whole country celebrated her birthday by dressing in spooky costumes and handing out candy.
I don’t disagree with the idea of promoting awareness of diseases; especially, if there are known preventive measures people can take. Encouraging women to get mammograms and to do self-exams is a good reminder any time. It’s uplifting to hear positive stories of women in remission, or success stories like that of a dear friend who has exceeded the five-year mark of being cancer free.
Even when Rachel realized that the Halloween hijinks predated her birth, she still liked the confluence of the two celebrations. What kid wouldn’t like the combination of collecting loads of candy and opening birthday presents on the same day? Plus, she always asked for pumpkin pie instead of cake to wrap up her birthday dinner. “Pie is much better than cake, Mommy.” I agree.
I miss my mama. If she hadn’t gotten breast cancer, it’s possible my mother would still be alive today. She’d be turning 91 in December, so probably not. But, even if she had lived to be 80 she would have seen her oldest grandchild get married and the next one graduate from college. And she would have known my brother’s two children and spoiled them as much as she did mine.
I miss my daughter. She would probably have celebrated the last 6 Halloweens helping the younger of her 6 nieces and nephews dress up and beg for candy. Then she and her husband would likely go out for a romantic dinner and go home and share a piece of pumpkin pie.
Her grandmother would have loved that.
Laura
A Light for My Path 
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