10.21.2009

Wordful Wednesday: Halloween Preview

This is motherhood. Staying up late, working during nap times on something other than dishes or blog posts or reading and knitting for pleasure.

Sewing a costume (mostly by hand) for a little boy who won't remember this, other than through photographs.
Spreading out felt and fleece on the kitchen table, since said little boy has taken up residence in my former craft room. Cleaning up felt and fleece and thread in order to serve nutritious lunch to little boy and his parents. Pulling out the fleece and felt yet again when little boy goes to bed, sewing toward the witching hour.
Years ago, I would have spent time making my own costume, but this Halloween I'll be scuffing around in jeans I've had on all week, holding the treat bucket, ringing doorbells, probably holding the boy too when he gets shy at the neighbors' doors. What makes a mother do such un-sensible things for her child? The easy answer would be love, but I think it's something more.

Yesterday I sat SoJo on my lap on the big-kid swings in the park. We glided along, in and out of the warm sun, and he put his head on my chest, snuggling in. I said to him--as I was taking in the smell of his hair, that unique smell that is only your child--"you will always be trying to get back to this time in your life, always." It's true. I think about my childhood all the time, particularly in Autumn, when I remember all of those cool afternoons running through the leaves in our backyard. And Halloweens of years past.
So why the costume, why the long hours? I guess it's because I want him to have something good to come back to, to long for in his mind. Something imaginative and magical, even if it's more of a feeling than a solid memory. And of course, it ties me back to my memories of being little too. That's the best part of motherhood, reliving childhood.

So what do you think of Max's Wolf Suit (from the book Where the Wild Things Are, if you don't know) so far? More to come as I finish it.

For more Wordful Wednesday, including some on the theme of Motherhood (the prompt this week is inspired by the new movie Motherhood coming out this Friday) visit...


35 comments:

Muthering Heights said...

I can't WAIT to see the finished product!

It's going to be awesome!!!!

Mom of Three said...

Beautiful post!
He's going to be the best King of the Wild Things, and I bet he always remembers this costume (take lots of pictures!)!

Flying Giggles and Lollipops said...

Okay, I am not sure if the hormones are out of whack because I am not usually a very emotional person, but you just made me majorly tear up. This is exactly how I feel (minus the making the costume, add in shopping for the perfect one). I so fondly remember those days so well, I remember the scents in the air. It was a wonderful time!

This is a wonderful post that will be even better when read by your son when he is a father!

Happy said...

This whole post is just magical. I love the costume and since I'll be adding myself as a follower, I look forward to seeing more of it as it gets completed.

Jessica said...

Let the wild rumpus start! I can't wait to see your finished product, I'm making a Max costume for my son as well! Hopefully I'll get some great tips from you to improve my sad attempt!

Milk and Honey Mommy said...

Kathleen,

Bravo mommy! I love your post. You're right, but I think he will remember what you did although he may never remember or know how much time and effort it took to make. That is what we do for our children; we give the best we can.

Again, I had great plans to make costumes this year, but w/less than two weeks and having only purchased patterns, I'm not so sure if I'm going to accomplish much for three children. It's time to get really creative.

T Rex Mom said...

I would LOVE to see the finished product. I make most of my son's pants and some of his shirts. I did not do his costume this year as I'm not fond of sewing with fur but maybe next year. Your son's looks like it's going to be really nice.

And yes, that is motherhood, using those precious breaks to do something for the little one.

Thanks for sharing.

Tiaras said...

that was beautiful! and i adore that costume - what a great idea - I'm making my girls Indian costumes - beads feathers and ribbons - oh my!

Honey Mommy said...

You are one great mommy! I am working on my costume and my hubby's. We are doing a group theme this year and I hope it creates fun memories too!

Jingle said...

That is looking SO cute! Dh and I want them in our sizes! LOL! I love this book and I love that you are doing this for him so he can have a magical experience! That is so wonderful! This is such a wonderful way for children to connect through literature! If you want to keep the magic I can't say I recommend the movie, though. I was sadly disappointed.

Auntie E said...

couldn't follow it. Is the boy Living or not? had to read twice and still can not figure it out. A Story you are telling right?

Mayhem and Moxie said...

You are amazing. I can't believe that you are making Max's Wolf Suit.

Oh my goodness. Do you have time to make my kid's Halloween costumes too?

:)

-Francesca

TheEclecticElement said...

I don't remember a lot of the costumes my mother made me when I was little, but it instilled a longtime appreciation for handmade things!!
To this day, I refuse to go out and buy any Halloween costumes-I make them all myself :D
I'm sure he will appreciate it when he grows up.

Jessica said...

Kathleen:
That is so funny about our costumes!! I can't wait to see your creation, and I look forward to seeing you compete in the So you think you can craft contest. Good luck!

Jennifer-Eighty MPH Mom said...

Oh how cute - and how talented you are...I am so excited to see it! You are a wonderful mother...

Jennifer said...

Kathleen,
I loved that book! He will be the cutest trick or treater around.

Simply Mommy said...

You are truly inspiring! I have thought about making costumes but with three boys now, I just dont know that I am up for that. What a great idea for a costume. I cant wait to see the finished product!!!

nicole said...

awwww, i was doing SO good til you got to the 'moments of life to come back to" line.....thanks- i needed a good cry!

lovely post and from another mother who's making all these memories for her child, I can relate!

angie said...

Oh my stars, Kathleen. This is phenomenal. Seriously. I LOVE both the costume and the reason WHY you are spending so much time making it for him.

CanCan (Mom Most Traveled) said...

I LOVE LOVE it!
I was thinking just last week how cute it would be to have wolf suit jammies for the boys.
PS, when I was a kid, I thought 9pm was the witching hour.

Penelope said...

How cute! A Where the Wild Things Are costume! (he is a cutie pie too)

Joanie said...

He may only remember this Halloween because of photographs, but he'll understand the love that went into it forever.

(I think the costume is great!)

JamericanSpice said...

Gosh such a wonderful post. I enjoyed reading this.

I can imagine your son having that feeling of the memory. We too get this. And also imagine him showing such a photo to his wife...children and telling them that his mom had made that especially for him.

These are the things that love is made up of.

You make a wonderful mother.

*HUGS*

Kari @ A Giveaway Addicted Mommy said...

Oh Kathleen - You need to print this one out and put it somewhere safe for Sojo to read later in life. That almost made me cry!

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