If you read the title and are a little bit scared for me, don’t worry! I’m completely fine and mostly trauma-less. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays now, but that wasn’t always the case. I’m sure if you almost died twice on a holiday it won’t be on top of your list either.
If you know me, you know that, as much as I love bees, I run the other way when I see them. Oh yes, allergies, what an amazing thing to exist. Picture this, you are 7 years old, it’s Halloween and you’re dressed like a doll/witch (your parents did what they could with a last minute costume), and you are with your older brother and twin sister (Dressed exactly like you, might I add. Nightmare!). Your goal? Coming home with an amount of candy that can give you diabetes for the rest of your life. What ends up happening is so much worse.
I was 7 and I didn’t pay attention to my surroundings. Therefore, I didn’t notice the 6 to 10 bees that were in front of me, circling candies that had been dropped on the floor. Suddenly, I’m screaming, my mom is screaming, and people around us are scared. The burning sensation I felt on my neck was like nothing I have ever felt before, and it was killing me. Well, I didn’t know I was allergic just yet but the pain alone was excruciating. Scary but not deadly yet, I have calmed down. But then, why is my mom making that face? Also, why can’t I see properly through my left eye? Mom, seriously stop crying. It sort of doesn’t hurt anymore, but it’s getting harder to breathe. I’m going to take a nap.
I woke up in a hospital bed with an asthma mask on and an IV. I felt weak and hungry… Mostly hungry. That’s how me and my family found out I was deadly allergic to bees. Although it’s not hereditary, my mom is also allergic to bees so it’s a somewhat pretty coincidence.
The second time was a lot more serious. I would love to romanticize this as an experience I shared with my brother, but I don’t agree with romanticizing addiction. I’m not, and have never been, addicted to anything but my brother has. I was 15 and I didn’t know exactly what my brother was doing, all I knew was that my parents didn’t approve. Being the rebel that I was, I said yes to my brother when he said that he was going to party with some of his friends on Halloween and that I should come. I should’ve said no, because he was 6 years older than me, but again I felt cool and all grown up. The whole night was a nightmare because his friends were just like him, addicts, and we’re not sober. I played it cool and just sat back but, when we got in the car, I started to worry. Why is that person driving when they are clearly under the influence? I didn’t say anything because I thought I didn’t have a voice of opinion in that group. I thank the universe that the car crash wasn’t deadly for anybody, and that even the cars were alright, but there was no way I was going to get in again or wait for the cops, for that matter, I WAS FIFTEEN! Apparently everyone thought the same thing because they all left the driver alone and my brother screamed at me that we had to go. We walked the rest of the way home and I couldn’t even look at him. I was petty as well so I didn’t talk to him for 2 weeks after.
I stand by my decision of being mad at him after he put my life in danger but I can’t help but wish I had not been. My brother died a couple of years ago, and I now hold on to every memory and every second I had with him. I can only wish I had those two weeks too.
Present time and I’m completely fine, still running from bees though.
I’m not gonna lie, having these experiences definitely left me with an icky feeling about this holiday, and the season in general, but I’m working towards fixing this and enjoying my time as much as I can.