Happy Halloween

Halloween decoration, trick or treat bag

(Photos of some of Shelley's Halloween Decorations.)

Old books that store bits and pieces of yesterday's charm, while a "Trick or Treat" shoe sits on top waiting to be carried door to door to gather this evening's sweets.

Halloween decor

A few weeks ago when I was back in Willows (my hometown in California) I stopped by to see my childhood friend Shelley. A few days earlier she had given the cue to her husband and daughter to decorate their home for the month of October, the feast of Halloween. Shelley gathers her grace for living, never failing to LIVE in the moment… Her creative force cannot be stopped!

Halloween

Shelley's grandfather died of ALS, as did her Father who she cared for, her brother has ALS and so does she.

It is an unfair trick, but it has not stopped her from believing that life is good. I look at her wondering how she can be so determine, so brave, so full of life even when her body does not follow any of her commands.

I have said it before, and I will say it again:

Shelley life makes me want to live my life with gusto!

The best "treat" we have is living each moment by simply being our best.

That is the "treat" that Shelley has given me time after time: She lives her life it by grabbing it by the horns and wrestling it to the ground, then declaring herself champion of her life.

Shelley seems to say: It is what it is, I am what I am, and this moment is good enough, so let's get on with it.

Living is what she does best.

Shelley's house

Halloween Boo

Halloween decor

Happy Halloween Shelley.

If you would like to send Shelley a message please feel free to do so at

shelley_etchepare@hotmail.com

Shelley cannot write back but she reads every email she receives with great pleasure. Please fill her "Trick or Treat Bag" full of good things!



Comments

28 responses to “Happy Halloween”

  1. I don’t know what to say, just that some people are living miracles.

  2. le petit cabinet de curiosites

    Beautiful decoration! Happy halloween to you

  3. God bless your dear friend Shelley and all those that bring so much joy and beauty to our world.
    God bless her.
    I sent her a note.
    I love you
    Jeanne♥

  4. Ellen Cassilly

    I will send Shelley some golden halloween leaves. Hugs. E

  5. Happy Halloween Shelley and Corey! Love your decorations Shelley. I am sorry to hear about your dad.

  6. Happt Halloween Corey. I’ve emailed love and hugs to Shelley too … you’re a gem. xo

  7. So sorry to hear about your friend Shelly and ALS…I’ve known two people too many that has dealt and lost witht this terrible disease.
    On a lighter note Happy Autumn…here’s to the oranges reds and browns…and a scarey pumpkin too.

  8. Happy Halloween Corey…it’s my mom’s birthday today and we just had a family gathering last week for my niece’s wedding so I sent Shelley an email with the slideshow of our “Halloween” gathering before the wedding…hopefully she enjoys viewing it as much as we had at the party.
    http://con-tain-it.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/10/youre-invitedto-a-family-gathering.html
    Fondly, Roberta

  9. Happy Halloween Corey.
    Shelley is so creative! I love that shoe! Does anyhone know how old that is?
    I bought candy for the trick or treaters last night and ate about 10 of those mini-candy bars myself before bed. Eeek.

  10. We should all live life like Shelley!

  11. I’m so moved . . . off to Shelley.

  12. Lemon Verbena Lady

    My husband’s nephew died of ALS. It is an awful disease and death. He had humor until the end. It’s what kept him and us going! I came close to death early in my life and my life is just that much more precious. You and your family are enjoying life as Shelley is with hers. So glad Shelley is still with you and us.

  13. Happy Halloween to Corey and Shelley!
    May both your lives be filled with laughter, music and love.
    Emailing Shelley next.

  14. Happy Halloween to you all!

  15. Julie Ann Evins

    Perhaps everyone should spend a day in Shelley’s shoes. From what you have said in the past her husband and family are treasures so there is blessing in that. Happy Hallowean Corey, Jx

  16. Sue McGettigan

    Shelley’s Halloween decorations are wonderful, she’s wise indeed to let each day uplift and accept the gifts it brings, good and bad. We lost my son’s Godfather to ALS, it’s a terrible disease.

  17. Shelley’s an amazing person…a hero…a miracle…an inspiration!
    I love your stories of Shelley!

  18. Dana Smith

    I emailed your Shelley! It made me feel good doing it too.
    Dana in VA

  19. Shelley Noble

    Your Shelley amazes with her wisdom and strength of character. Thank you for teaching us through her example.

  20. Shelley’s decorations are lovely and her determined creativity is an inspiration. Happy Halloween, Corey! Off to ring a doorbell and drop a treat in a shoe…

  21. Thanks for the reminder to ‘live life with gusto’ instead of sweating the small stuff, which is my natural tendency – ugghh. I wish it came more naturally….

  22. Happy Halloween, Corey! I hope that you had a good night – and soon to be morning! Shelley certainly is an inspirational friend. I’ll send her an email in a moment.

  23. DesertNana

    oh Dear Corey
    as always love and warmth comes from visiting you
    I will post a message to Shelly
    Happy Happy Halloween

  24. jend’isère

    Shelley, I will share my Facebook entry from last night
    Jennifer and “clown” are enjoying the loot from another urban French Halloween…lolly from the interior architect firm, bonbons from lingerie boutique, fruitbar from healthfood shop, Daim from friends, green monster foot cookies from CakeShop and blank stares from other attempts.

  25. Lesley Austin

    Dear Corey,
    Your thoughts about your dear and inspiring friend Shelley reminded me of some lines from a favorite books of mine. Perhaps you and Shelley will enjoy them, too?
    From Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher:
    “Was she good at the piano?”
    “Not very.”
    “Was she good at lessons?”
    “Not very.”
    “What was she really good at?”
    “Living.”
    “That’s important, isn’t it?”
    Fondly,
    Lesley

  26. If we could live our lives as every moment could be the last one, our world would be so much better! Sometime we meet people who reminds us to live plenty the moment, no matter what. The bad part is, we too soon forget it!

  27. Love love love love these pictures

  28. Shelley, I love your style Inside & Out!

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