Halloween with Mom

There she sits with a couple other folks; their wheelchairs circling a TV that’s playing reruns of westerns. The sound is turned off. She’s snoozing.

I tap her on the knee. “Hey you!”

“Hi honey, what are we doing?”

“It’s Halloween, Mom.” I hand her a Hello Kitty headband with ears — pink of course.

“Cool!” she says and puts it on.

At that moment, the physical therapist appears, dressed in shorts, a striped t-shirt and welly boots — a costume I’d guess. 

“Oh good,” they say, “you’re here. Mom wouldn’t go to the party.”

“Really? She loves parties.”

“I know, but she wouldn’t budge. I’m glad you’re here!” And the PT turns to another lady, trying now to convince her to go.

Mom rolls her chair over to double doors disguised as a built-in cabinet, which is “hidden” for use by memory care visitors. I open the doors and she goes through into the chaos.

“Oh no,” she says, “What’s this?”

In the center of the room, a band is playing “Love Potion #9,” as residents gather in. Some park their chairs around flickering jack-o-lantern filled tables while others stash walkers nearby. One little man, wearing a Dr. Seuss hat, is playing harmonica along with the band. Some people tap their toes; others nod off in their rolling chaise lounges. 

The staff wear costumes, with a strong Addams Family presence: Cousin It, Uncle Fester, Wednesday, Pugsley, Gomez and Morticia. Plus Grandpa from The Munsters.

Morticia Addams is the family liaison, complete with black wig and carrying a feather duster. An LNA is dressed as a nurse in an archetypical starched white dress, Dansko clogs and a starched, tri-pointed hat.

The Senior Administrator has come as a pirate — complete with eye patch — and the social worker wears a spider in the middle of her webbed skirt. A life-size unicorn angel and other full-body costumes adorn the other staff. I realize the physical therapist must be Pugsley Addams. Where is Lurch? Some other party, I guess. 

The band is warmed up now and rockin’ away to Johnny Cash, the Beach Boys, and The Beatles. They have a guitar, electric piano, and two ukuleles. The players share their instruments on turns, and every one of them wears a straw hat, Hawaiian shirt, and cargo shorts. They’re clearly having a ball.

Someone brings out refreshments: black cake dripping bright red jelly filling and green grapes, with cheese and melon balls on the side. Mom, who can be a picky eater, enjoys it and pronounces everything, “Very good!”

Morticia approaches the band to request the Addams Family theme song. With that, all of the staff come together and begin to dance. Calmly at first, then the spirit grips them. A conga line forms, snaking through the crowd. Some of the dancers high-five with willing residents, or bending to kiss the foreheads of others.

A kind of free form contra dance follows, with pairs of partners laughing loudly and singing along to the music.

Now Mom is drumming madly on the table and the little non-verbal lady across from us joins in — bam-bam-bam bam-bam. A slender man wearing a red shirt and devil’s tail brings a pumpkin over to his sister who is in a wheelchair, leaning her head on her hand, “What’s it for?” she asks uncertainly.

“To drum on,” he replies and demonstrates. Mom has really started something and I notice the activities director watching our table closely. Maybe there will be a drum circle activity added after this?

A lady in a chaise chair at our table is dressed as a witch with long purple hair and a fake wart glued to her nose. I recognize her daughter, who, to her mother’s delight, has joined the dance and is switching from one partner to the next between songs.

“My daughter never would have done that years ago!” she tells us while taking pictures of her dancing first with Cousin It and then with the pirate. Between songs her daughter plops down in the chair next to us.

“I’m not as young as I used to be!” she puffs.

The band announces their last song, and then sings a cappella, “Stay just a little bit longer.” The staff again move through the crowd, slowly this time, swaying to the music and pausing to admire residents’ costumes.

Mom wants to dance, of course, which isn’t possible, so she drums and keeps time with her “good” foot. She decides it’s time to leave before the song ends and rolls out through the crowd, smiling and shaking hands with people as we go.

I open the secret cabinet door again and just like that we are back in the quiet TV circle. 

“Was it a dream, honey?” she whispers, winking at me. “Were you there?” 

“Yes Mom,” I tell her, “Absolutely.”

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Looking for more heart-warming holiday fiction and Halloween cheer? Look no further than these darling, dark, creepy, or kooky tales!

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