October was my mom Lorraine’s favorite month — she had an extra pep in her step as she’d sing the Five Little Pumpkins song to me while warming up apple cider donuts in our blackened combustible toaster oven with the bell from hell.

Growing up I’d watch her spend all year planning her Halloween costumes — most of which she’d sew by hand using the same wiry fingers that she’d use to pick seashells, pop my pimples, or break up devil’s lettuce.

Bob — an ex biker-turned-barber — and his wife Judy — would throw annual Halloween parties at their home in Hull on Alden Street that you could hear from Timbuktu.

Some parties I’d be a human crutch for my folks, with costumes being so elaborate like the mermaid and King Neptune they encased themselves in that one time.

I’m surprised she wasn’t banned from attending Halloween parties because year after year she would take home a first place prize for either best costume or best couples costume with my dad.

One year after a popular Super Bowl moment, my mom dressed as Janet Jackson with fake plastic chest potatoes and my dad dressed as Justin Timberlake with his curly wig and headset microphone.

While my mom Lorraine is no longer with us, I try to make her proud each day by spreading kindness, being thoughtful, creative, and always carrying a fake prank cockroach in my pocket ;)

Miss you mom!

xx
<3
Johnny

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