It is pretty obvious our move
overseas was intentional, both in choosing where to go and having a solid
reason for the move. Since living here, we have been faced with many other opportunities for intentionality. Because we desire to make an eternal
difference in the lives of those we live among, we think carefully about how
our daily actions among them will affect this end. With our children, as well, we desire to be
intentional as we raise, instruction, and guide them in their growth. As our neighbors live quite differently than
we do, we have had many opportunities to discuss with our boys how and why we
have chosen to be different or similar. Being
third culture kids, one whose culture is a mix of their parents and the one in
which they live, we desire for our children to know, at least some, about the
culture in their passport country. To do this we often incorporate
aspects of American culture into our lives here, but which aspects and how
requires a great deal of intentionality.
Halloween is just one example of
American culture we have intentionally taught our children about. In American it often requires a bit of
reverse intentionality if you desire your children to know about aspects, but
not take part in others. Take the aspect
of celebrating death for example. Whether people consciously realize it or not, much of Halloween, in decorations,
costumes, and activities, celebrate death.
Life overseas makes is quite easy for us to pick and choose what aspects
to incorporate into our lives. Since
trick or treating is obsolete in Barat, we forgo the part of dressing up as well. As we do want our children to be familiar
with American culture, we have taught them about the history of Halloween and incorporated
a few customs that are practical overseas.
In the past we have carved
jack-0-lanterns. This year we settled
for cookies and pumpkin muffins. When
all else fails, I turn to baking to celebrate!
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| Caedmon putting together Halloween roll cookies. |
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| Celebrating with Food |
During our times in the States, the boys, and Evangeline too, have enjoyed dressing up and eating candy gathered from Trick or Treating. When it comes right down to it, our lives are different here because of our intentional choice to live here, and though probably unconsciously, Caedmon and Whitman know this and happily carry on with the lives they do know, which doesn't include any community wide Halloween activities.
