The December Pumpkin//October 84th, 2023

The December pumpkin is tired.

The December pumpkin has been living in fear. A nagging fear since the very dawn of November 1st, as the world around them turned into something they didn’t recognize.

Beautiful, natural colors replaced with blinding, manufactured lights. Their brethren rotted, or simply discarded, as men made of snow that has not yet fallen take their place. A forgotten world, that just a short time ago, brought joy to so many.

The December pumpkin has been told, for so long now, that their time is up. That they shouldn’t exist in this world beyond October. They’re not needed, unimportant. Just succumb to the rot. Fall in line. Surely a pumpkin existing beyond October should have no identity of its own.

There are, of course, many pumpkins who fall victim to this mentality once October has passed. They rot. They crumble. They roll over to make way for Santa Claus and whatever menagerie of colorful creatures he brings with him. For some, there is no turning back.

This December pumpkin, though, has heard the call of a distant ghost. As the days get colder and the porch space diminishes in favor of flashier things, the ghost urges them on.

Remember who you are, says the ghost. Remember that there is no shame in being just that. Remember the joy you once brought, and the joy you still bring to those lucky few. You don’t have to be anyone but yourself.

And the December pumpkin remembers. Remembers what it’s like to be revered, to have a place in the world. Remembers the smiling faces, and thinks of those that may still smile for them as they pass.

A pumpkin is not just a seasonal thing. Not really. And an identity certainly is not, either.

The ghost floats on by, spreading Halloween joy to those who choose to notice it. And the December pumpkin smiles, proud to be themself, proud to be a part of it.

No calendar, no change in weather, no pushy Santa Claus, can ever dim the flame of being happy with oneself, and knowing your worth in this world.

The December pumpkin will become the January pumpkin, and lead us into the new year. A new journey. A new Halloween.

Stay spooky, my friends.

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