This little dude entered our household ten years ago. Five years ago, his life changed a bit as he lost his voice. Now to be honest, he did not produce a bat sound…or a particularly scary sound at that. It was more of a “whirr.” Nonetheless, when we purchased him to add to our internal Halloween decorations, when squeezed he produced a mighty, hearty “whirr.”
We still put him out each Halloween, and when I look at him, I will sometimes find myself mumbling that “whirr” sound to myself. It serves as a reminder even if a part of something (of us!) no longer functions as originally designed, it (we!) still has (have!) great value.
I have recently read a few things online which make me think his voice box could be successfully brought back to life, but he already provides for us just by hanging out and being a bat. I am somewhat hesitant to start busting his seams open and performing open bat surgery just to hear a sound I am already making myself.
I think sometimes in our pursuit of perfectionism we can get too zealous and not leave well enough alone. For example, when you go to trim your eyebrows to perfection and think maybe the right side needs just a little more off…wait, back to the left side to even it up…wait…what the hell did I just do to my eyebrows?
Or, when your wife decides the holly bushes need a trim and she sets out to just take a “little” off. These two look good…let me even them up with those over here…oh, maybe a little less back here now…oops…honey?
(On a side-note, I find it amusing my wife has no issue whatsoever with the high-pitched screaming of the hedge trimmer, or the relentless chugging of the snow blower. She loves using those power tools. Yet, she rails against the relatively low sound the mini-vacuum makes. I have formed an opinion she does not like vacuuming. In any case, her passion for power tools keeps me honest…and volunteering to do the vacuuming myself…)
Bat-dude will continue to take his place each Halloween, having successfully pivoted to a “new” life. And…on Halloween night he will stand in attendance as trick-or-treaters visit our home. We usually get 80-100 kids each year. A lot of them travel with adults, and it is nice to see families still supporting a tradition I have always held dear to my heart. Traditions seem to be so much harder to maintain today. I would like to think opening our door on Halloween gives voice to those who want to see this tradition of the holiday continue, but can no longer participate themselves.
Aside from making it a special evening for the kids, it is a chance for all of us who wave hello at a distance 364 days of the year to interact a bit more closely, if only for a few moments. Most households have their outdoor lights on and doors open, and it is nice people who might disagree on other subjects (especially these days) find common ground in trying to make Halloween special for our youth…and hopefully for ourselves as well.
Whether it be watching a scary movie, noshing on some candy, participating in a costume party, waiting on the Great Pumpkin, or just enjoying the decorations…have a safe and Happy Halloween.
Pictures Courtesy IMDb/Wikipedia