In 1991, Halloween was approaching in my home town of St. Paul, Minnesota. Just as when I was young kids were eager to don their costumes, fill their bags with treats, then head to the local park for a neighborhood get-together. There they could warm up with free hot chocolate from massive stainless-steel urns, which at least when my pals and I were in elementary school kept the temp around 211.99 degrees Fahrenheit. My taste buds have never been the same.
The external temp was also plenty warm that year. On October 29 the high was 65 degrees, more than ten above normal. The next day, however, it dropped by 50% and only reached 32. And before noon on Halloween, the snow started falling…and falling. By midnight 8.2 inches of snow had fallen, followed by 18.5 inches the next day. Before it stopped 28.4 inches had fallen, including 21 in 24 hours, still a local record for any winter month. One reporter later wrote, “As the afternoon faded into evening a surreal scene unfolded, with kids attempting to trick or treat wearing coats and boots, and pumpkins becoming covered with a snowy blanket.”
I hold this memory of another time and place fondly. And while probably not a fall blizzard, no doubt many of you can recall pleasant autumnal experiences—and the friends and loved ones you enjoyed them with. We’ll share some of that spirit of appreciative reminiscence at tomorrow’s Remembrance service. And as Halloween now bends toward Thanksgiving, I’m thankful too for all the souls who established and helped form Unitarian Universalism into the inclusive, forward-thinking faith tradition we benefit from today. (I’m also grateful that long ago someone figured out that frozen pumpkins can be transformed into tasty pies. 🙂
Meanwhile I’m aware of the daylight shortening, and how this reminds me to be thankful for the renewing cycles of nature—and those in my life. May it be a blessed time of reflection and rejuvenation for you as well.
Many Blessings,
Rev. Peter