A very spiritual Halloween

Yesterday's trick or treating was the best I have ever experienced, but it almost didn't happen.

It was raining.  But we were not deterred.  Rain doesn't stop Washingtonians.  And I suppose we have been christened Washingtonians over two wet winters so far.  

How can you spot a tourist in Seattle? Just look for an umbrella.

What is an umbrella?

So anyhow we headed over to the cousins's house to join them but when we arrived it was announced that we will just eat candy gratuitously(without having "worked" for it???) and watch a movie.

Eventually I began to get stir crazy and I announced- "the rain has let up mostly!  Let's go!"

It took awhile to get people suited up and properly shod again, but we were out the door and into a very very light drizzle after about ten minutes.

The big kids took off.  I could only see frankie and her little cousin running from the house two over to the next one. I yelled "only houses well lit! And be polite!"  

John came back to me so excited with some candy.  He had been fast enough to join Frankie at the first house.  Alice was slowly making her way- still unsure about the whole thing.  My brother-in-law caught up with us and went to the first house with Alice, John, and I.

After the first house things got really good.  It was decided that my brother-in-law would catch up to the older kids and I would take John and Alice. 

John and Alice were slow enough to make the trick or treating a more meditative practice.  

I told my Kids on the way over in the car to remember the soul cake tradition of Halloween.  The people give you treats in exchange for your prayers for their dearly departed.  

I told them to use whatever words they wished but to offer a quick prayer for their relatives in purgatory.

So when I found myself with the two littles on a quiet quiet street it became a very beautiful and spiritual walk.  

I imagined touching the souls of their relatives with grace.  I looked up.  The sky let up raining and the low clouds reflected the street lights so that it looked like they were glowing a burnt orange/gray.  Each house, whether lit or no, got prayers.  I took my rosary out of my pocket and began making good on my own penance from earlier in the afternoon.  

I felt the evening was energized by spirits.  But not in a bad way. Not how it is depicted in Hollywood or hallmark.  But how it is depicted in Frank Peretti novels, except to good spirits- the Angels- were outnumbering the bad.

And grace abounded, and was ripe for the picking. Just waiting for me to ask.  Yearning for the words "may the souls of your faithful departed, through the mercy God, rest in peace.  And may the souls of you and your friends and family be made ready for heaven.Amen"