2008 Woodie Awards
Do what your inner child desires
Samantha Gillis
Issue date: 10/31/07 Section: Personal Column
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Bushy white chest hair pours out of a thin plaid shirt. Dented pots and pans clang as he limps. Torn overalls, rope and a canteen dangle. His grey tattered beard still holds the remains of his breakfast. With an out-stretched hand, he holds a lantern and hollers, "Oooohh cinnamon and gravy." The impression of Will Ferrell playing Gus Chiggens sums up my favorite costume my brother wore during past Halloweens.
When I think of Halloween, I think of the costumes. Over the years I have regularly dressed up for the creepy crawly holiday. I strongly believe everyone, of every age, should participate in this tradition. It's a chance to let go of whatever label society has put on you and be whoever or whatever you want to be.
As kids we could dress up and pretend to our little hearts content. But now that we're growing up, it's not appropriate. Until Halloween rolls around, and we can stop pretending to be adults and bring out our inner child again. Maybe my joy for dressing up stems from the fact that Halloween is also my older brother's birthday. Because of sibling rivalry, we would always anticipate Halloween, so we could trump the other in the costume department. At first I only wore costumes I thought my brother would think were cool. This consisted of a teenage mutant ninja turtle, a cowgirl, Jasmine, Brett Farve, a dead witch and a dead cheerleader.
These were all pretty amateur. As the years rolled by, the competition grew from coolness to creativeness. We'd brainstorm the cleverest costumes ever. For me, this included being a Spaghetti-O and a cha-cha-dancing Furbee. My brother was a Keebler elf, Tony Montana, and a Tootsie Roll. Odd I know, but that was the point. We'd laugh and have a good time while everyone would stare and wonder what was wrong with us.
It was just our thing. Along with the tradition came a stronger relationship. Even in our awkward, hormonal, emotion-filled teenage years we still managed to keep our tradition intact.
When I think of Halloween, I think of the costumes. Over the years I have regularly dressed up for the creepy crawly holiday. I strongly believe everyone, of every age, should participate in this tradition. It's a chance to let go of whatever label society has put on you and be whoever or whatever you want to be.
As kids we could dress up and pretend to our little hearts content. But now that we're growing up, it's not appropriate. Until Halloween rolls around, and we can stop pretending to be adults and bring out our inner child again. Maybe my joy for dressing up stems from the fact that Halloween is also my older brother's birthday. Because of sibling rivalry, we would always anticipate Halloween, so we could trump the other in the costume department. At first I only wore costumes I thought my brother would think were cool. This consisted of a teenage mutant ninja turtle, a cowgirl, Jasmine, Brett Farve, a dead witch and a dead cheerleader.
These were all pretty amateur. As the years rolled by, the competition grew from coolness to creativeness. We'd brainstorm the cleverest costumes ever. For me, this included being a Spaghetti-O and a cha-cha-dancing Furbee. My brother was a Keebler elf, Tony Montana, and a Tootsie Roll. Odd I know, but that was the point. We'd laugh and have a good time while everyone would stare and wonder what was wrong with us.
It was just our thing. Along with the tradition came a stronger relationship. Even in our awkward, hormonal, emotion-filled teenage years we still managed to keep our tradition intact.
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