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The scene: Local discount store just prior to Halloween. Pumpkins, candy and decorations abound. The Halloween costume aisle is flooded with parents and children shopping for That Perfect Costume. Kids fidget from the confines of their shopping carts screaming, "I want that!" as they point at the clown costumes, pirate gear and princess outfits. Each child is eager for THE costume. The costume that makes a statement about what they "want to be" this year, for Halloween.

A mother notices her daughter taking a particular interest in the costumes that have faux leather and chains, skull prints and scary decals on the jackets.

Mother: "What's this, honey?" she asks calmly noticing that her daughter is taking a particular interest in the costume called Death Rocker. "Oh, sweetheart, did you see this pretty costume?" Mom points toward a lovely Cleopatra get-up. Daughter is not interested. "Did you see this cute Hannah Montana outfit?" Mom asks the question fully knowing that her daughter now finds Hannah "so not cool." Mom knows this is the expected reaction, but she had to try.

Daughter: Pre-teen daughter is now looking over Death Rocker costume with more interest, favoring the rips in the Death Rocker jacket, marveling at the scary detail on the mask. "Now, THIS. This is nice," she explains, eyebrows arched high and head nodding with enthusiasm.

Mother: Thinks to herself that the days of childhood are dwindling when a Mom can no longer convince her child that she'd look really cool in a witch costume, or as Dorothy, or as Hannah Montana. When this reality sits in for a parent, it can be well...deep! Choose your battles wisely, Mom thinks to herself. Appreciate the fact that your kid has always been an "individual". After all, Death Rocker is very...original, shall we say?

Daughter: Looks up expectedly at her Mom, and asks, "Can we get this costume? Pleeease, Mom? Pleeease?"

Mom: Makes a mental note that attending the Fall festival at church dressed as a Death Rocker is probably not going to happen this year. Didn't the church bulletin request un-scary costumes be worn, and Biblical characters preferred? Mom relaxes and remembers it is just a costume, not a school wardrobe. Mom reminds herself that her child still enjoys playing with American Girl dolls, still believes in Jesus and is making straight A's in her honors classes. Mom sighs heavily and looks at the picture of the child on the costume box dressed as Death Rocker. Mom thinks of her child and considers that Death Rocker will not scar her for life...."Ah, okay. Whatever. I mean, sure, honey, we can get that costume for you."

Daughter: Squeals in delight, and jumps up and down. "Oh, yeah! Thank you sooo much, Mom! You are the best!"

Other shoppers in the costume aisle turn around to see pre-teen girl jumping around wildly and giving her weary Mom a hug.

Halloween.

One scary night out of the whole year. A chance to get a bucketful of candy, and eat so much that you get a stomachache. A chance to dress up in the wildest costume you can find. A time to enjoy being a kid. $18 Death Rocker costume, widely sold at a Wal-Mart near you. $8 Freak guitar (with shoulder strap, of course) needed to accessorize that crazy costume. One wildly, giddy happy little girl.

Priceless.

Learn more about this author, J. Everitt.
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