by
Melinda Pillsbury-Foster
“Mommy,
I'm a Ghost Buster – can you make my uniform?” And
so did my son, Arthur, announce the most recent chapter in the
fantasy life which is a long accepted aspect of childhood. He was
then six, and for some months had been living out the role, garbed
only in increasingly well-rehearsed sounds. He played both the doomed
ghost and the Ghost Buster, often annoying his two older sisters by
drafting them into the scenario.
What
is a mother to do? Of course I made his 'uniform.' Since I knew it
would be used well beyond Halloween I made it from sturdy gray cloth,
appliqueing the letters to ensure they would not fall of the back.
The ghost vacuuming devise was included, scrounged and spray painted
from various sources. Arthur wore his uniform to class, as was usual
at Northridge Lutheran School.
His
sisters, Dawn and Ayn, had also progressed through similar fantasy
lives, though Dawn grumbled about being the doomed radio operator
from The
Empire Strikes Back,
while her younger sister went garbed as Princess Leia.
The
next year they were all living out roles from Star Wars, with Arthur
dressed not as Luke Skywalker but Darth Vader. His black cape swirled
convincingly. The mask and chest piece were constructed from three
red plastic firemen's helmets, deconstructed with scissors and
reassembled with duct tape and then spray painted a shiny black. The
effect was striking. Arthur made very convincing breathing sounds.
Halloween
never stopped on November 1st.
Costumes were worn until they were outgrown, either as wearing
apparel or as personas. Sometimes they lasted long enough to play
parts in the next year's birthday parties, becoming themes.
With
the costume, or uniform, they took on roles, trying on a personality
which sometimes allowed them to experience other worlds and
realities, stretching their imaginations past the limitations all of
us must experience in real life. Watching them grow and mature I was
sometimes left wondering if the role had become a part of their ever
changing identity. In the alternative identity of costumes we can
find ourselves. Leaving behind self-imposed limitations happens, as
and when, we choose.
Who
will you be for Halloween this year? Will you try on a role, along
with the costume, see how it fits and alter the confines of who you
thought you were? We are never too old to dream.
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