Raggedy Ann

I am going to a baby shower today and I have been very excited about it for a long time. The mother is my sister's granddaughter who is naming her baby Percy after Percy Jackson of literary fame.

We are supposed to dress in costumes because it is a Halloween themed party and I have a fantastic Raggedy Ann costume I haven't worn in over twenty some years that I made for preschool.

Now I am suddenly not so excited.

Everyone, I mean everyone, has told me to take my costume, not wear it, because: It is a long drive and I might have to stop and other people may decide not to wear costumes.

I honestly do not understand what would be so wrong if people saw me pumping gas, or buying a snack in a Raggedy Ann costume. And if other people decide not to wear costumes, why would I also choose to ruin the mother's excitement?

But I am copping out and taking it. I am not wearing it. And I am no longer super excited. Now I am feeling like there might be other things I'll do wrong, where before I was just thinking how much fun it would be.

I know some of the other people feel she is odd because of her choices. They have never read the Percy Jackson books. They are traditionalists who want this to be a blue and white thing and they aren't very impressed by the mother's lifestyle choices.

She is young, but unlike her siblings and cousins she has been self sufficient and working for quite some time. She pays her rent, buys her food, is making a home for this baby. She has opinions, seems very bright and I think she will make much of her life. If only her family doesn't get in the way.

So I really hope we all dress up and have a rollicking good time at the most promising baby shower I've been invited to in a long time.