THE PUMPKIN PRAYER By Catherine Lanigan

                                   THE PUMPKIN PRAYER  By Catherine Lanigan

October  in Northwest Indiana  is a visual feast of blazing colors that almost seem impossible that they happen. On the day I’m writing this blog, I’m helping to prepare for my friend’s Pumpkin Carving party. She’s not all that well right now, and though we are praying for better days for her now and after an extensive surgery, for now, she’s tired. So, I got up at six this morning and I’ve been cooking and baking and gathering things to take to her house. SHE has the double garage with a fabulous painted pale blue floor with sparkles in it , no less—where we will carve the pumpkins.

I know there are many people who disdain the continued celebration of Halloween, though as a child all I thought about was the candy I’d have at my disposal that would carry me through to Christmas.  I’ve always loved the nostalgia of Halloween, the decorations, donuts and cider and when we were kids we went to a neighbor’s house. The lady there, Mrs. Parker, always made a pumpkin cut out cookie for every kid in the neighborhood and wrote our names on the cookies. She was the sweetest woman and being back in the “old neighborhood” …I miss her.

So, every year, I make pumpkin spice sugar cookies and write my friends’ names on them. As you can see, I need cake decorating classes.

 Carving a pumpkin was always a challenge to me. I’m so, so not artistic, so I depend on the patterns in the books I buy at the drug store or Walmart. The pumpkin you see above will come back home with me with something genius believe me. That’s because an actual artist designed my pattern. However, my one thing I always do is “glitter” the pumpkins. I know. I’m so aware of it. I just like sparkle in everything. So, spray glue and gold glitter this year.  Our results are below, but my glitter didn't sparkle all that much. Oh, well. There's always next year. 

  

At work the other day, one of the assistants brought in a prayer you can pray while carving the pumpkin. I thought this was so lovely, I wanted to share it with you.

                                                  PUMPKIN PRAYER

                                       Cut off the top:

Lord, open my mind and fill me with your wisdom and guidance.

                                  Scoop out the yuckies:

Lord, take out all my fussies and frownies, and fill me with your love.

                                   Carve out the eyes:

Lord, Open my eyes to see all of the beautiful things you have made.

                                    Carve out the nose:

Lord, help me to be a sweet fragrance for you

                                  Carve out the mouth:

Lord, help me to always speak your words of love and wisdom.

Today is the launch of my Prism book tour for RESCUED BY A FIREFIGHTER. I hope you get a chance to hit one of the “stops” and tell your friends as well.  It’s a fun tour..as they always are. And check my facebook page for giveaways through November.  www.prismbooktours.com  @cathlanigan on Twitter and Cathlanigan on Facebook.

What kind of traditions or non-traditions do you have for Halloween?  Not just the kids, but for YOU?   I love hearing these "visits" into your lives and memories about holidays.  

I wish you all a blessed and happy Halloween filled with memories and making new memories.  

Catherine