Family shows off spooky spirit, side by side
Oct. 19—Passersby on Ashland Avenue may see a pair of two decorated houses as competitors, but the homeowners actually have a lot more in common than a love for Halloween.
Damon Collier, a 20-year Navy veteran, and his wife, Amanda, moved to St. Joseph from San Diego for a new life.
Even though they moved across the country, they aren't exactly alone. The Colliers moved in right next to Damon's mother, Shirley Williams, and his father, Mike.
Originally, Williams was hunting for a home of her own. Damon Collier said she asked for help in choosing between the two, sharing the listings and showing the houses off over FaceTime. One stuck out to Amanda Collier — but not for Williams.
"It was love at first sight," Amanda Collier said. The couple then moved into the house, with Williams choosing the one next door.
The two homes stand out with their festive Halloween decorations, but in two very different ways.
The Colliers enjoy all things sci-fi and mystery, and their decorations exhibit that as La Llorona stands front and center of their home. La Llorona, which means "the weeping woman," is a haunting — and some say vengeful — spirit that pops up in Mexican folklore.
"Depending on how you take it she can be an omen of ominous things to come so you'll have to wait and find out," Amanda Collier said.
A few steps away from La Llorona stands multiple pumpkin bouquets all around the home of the Williams. For Williams, it's easy to put up her masterpiece, and she considers herself queen of the neighborhood.
"To put it up doesn't take very long because I had existing stuff there, and then (there's) just planning it out," she said.
When asked to pick the top three things in the house, Williams said it was difficult to choose.
"That's like picking your favorite child, but I really like this table that has turtles as the leg stands," she said.
Damon Collier interjected and joked that if she were to choose a favorite child, he'd be her pick.
Though the houses have two different aesthetics, the family shares a special bond, and their love for each other goes beyond Halloween.
"He's been away for so long because he's been in the Navy, and he's been all over the world so I've missed him a lot," Williams said.
Amanda Collier shared the same sentiments and even became emotional talking about the trials that they've faced, but she said she's grateful for the time they get to spend together now.
"It's definitely been a blessing being able to finally be together and be in one spot," she said. "This is it."
