Halloween Festival
To look at me now, you probably wouldn't believe that I had once been a self-imposed pariah living on the edge of town. I had always refused under any circumstances to let anyone past my front door. I was completely against socializing at the time.
Of course, I didn't get very many visitors anyway; most everyone in town avoided me, and I didn't have very many relatives close by. So, can you imagine my surprise when I was suddenly asked to host the local Halloween festivities one year?
"Good grief," I muttered.
I wasn't too keen on the idea. But I took the job anyway, as they had taken the time and trouble to find me and ask me. And the fact that they just wouldn't take no for an answer. So I agreed, hoping that I would now be allowed some peace once I began throwing myself into the plans for the party. What I hadn't planned on was the fact that I actually started to enjoy it.
Usually I kept pretty much to myself; couldn't tolerate company at all. And people usually respected my wishes of wanting to be completely alone. However, once I started working on the plans for the festival, people started showing up everywhere I looked; offering suggestions, helping out wherever they thought I would need it. Surprisingly, I found myself actually looking forward to their visits. The local Counselor even stopped by to encourage me in my efforts.
Finally it was Halloween night, and all of the preparations for the festivities were finished. It was time to start the celebration!
Our festival, as everyone agreed, was a tremendous success. Everyone enjoyed themselves thoroughly, eating all of the delicious foods, dressing up in colorful costumes, and playing all of the marvelous games. Even I enjoyed myself, and I had never been much of a party person before... but I was tonight.
There were many contests and winners, and several different types of prizes to distribute throughout the festival. This was designed to ensure that as many people as possible would have something with which to remember the night's events. There was even a special award for me! But don't think I had anything to do with it... I had absolutely no idea anyone would ever do something like that for me. I did appreciate it, though.
After that night, I had kind of expected everything to return to normal... but it didn't. Because, thanks to the success of my Halloween Festival, several people (including the Counselor) started hiring me to plan parties for all of their special occasions. I soon had enough regular customers to start an official business of my very own... which I soon did.
I think that it is really interesting how much one single month can change a person's life. I also wonder who volunteered my name for that long ago festival. You see, I never did find out. But I hope that whoever or wherever they are, that they know how much they have done for me, and how grateful I am.
The End by Celia Helen Tracy
copyright © 2001 Celia Helen Tracy |