Halloween is a time for costumes, candy, and fun, but for some people, it also brings back memories of a different kind of celebration. Jessica Wang, a student at Princeton University, wrote an essay for The Princetonian about how she experienced Halloween as a child in California.
A rainy morning and a creative costume
Wang recalls that Halloween in her childhood always began with the sound of rain tapping on her windowsill at night, signaling the arrival of fall. She says that fall was the most vivid season in California, with colorful leaves, ginkgo trees, and occasional snow storms. She also remembers the excitement of putting on her costume and leaving her house to show it to her neighbors.
She says that her costumes were always imaginative and original, ranging from the Ocean to Miss Smarty Pants to the Night Sky. She explains that she liked to transform into someone else for a day, or a slightly different version of herself. She says that she pieced together her costumes from clothing she rarely wore or clothing she liked but wasn’t bold enough to wear regularly.
A truck ride and a candy collection
Wang also describes how she trick-or-treated with her father in his pick-up truck, since it was too far and too cold to walk from house to house. She says that she rarely saw another child while trick-or-treating, but she enjoyed visiting her neighbors, all of whom she knew, and collecting treats from them. She says that she listened to Halloween themed cassette tapes or old country songs on the way, depending on her father’s mood.
She says that she loved Halloween because it was a time for transformation, disguise, and fun. She says that teachers became goofy, kids became their idols or favorite characters, and there were no rules. She says that Halloween was inseparable from fall in her memory.
A contrast and a connection
Wang contrasts her childhood Halloween with her first year at Princeton, where she says she listened for the coming of fall. She says that she recognized it as a reflection of fall back home, but also noticed some differences. She says that Princeton had more decorations, more people, and more events for Halloween. She says that she felt both nostalgic and curious about the new ways of celebrating.
She concludes her essay by saying that she still loves Halloween, even though it has changed for her over the years. She says that she still likes to dress up and have fun, but also appreciate the diversity and creativity of others. She says that Halloween is a time to connect with her childhood self and with other people.
