Halloween: the real deal

It’s been decades since I took part in a North American Halloween. Goblins, Disney characters, Marvel superheroes, and kids wearing something they claimed was a costume all materialized at my door. They all came to receive candy in exchange for a few words and smiling, or pretending to be scared. It was wonderful!

Last weekend we frequented several trunk-or-treating events held in local churches’ parking lots. The Rising Daughters® had a field day. So many cars with scary themes with cool owners who just handed you candy! Heaven! I didn’t have this experience growing up so I didn’t know what to expect on Halloween, either.

Lady E. had put together her own costume—an aqua blue M&M—to match those of some school friends she was going trick or treating with. Marina was Batgirl (no explanation required); it just fit her taste and most certainly her personality. So they both went off trick or treating and had a fine time. 

Naomi walked around the ‘nabe with friends and their kids in tow. I stayed home and doled out the bonbons.

There is nothing too complicated about it: making kids smile by providing candy is a boon to the soul. It just makes you happy by making THEM happy. It was gratifying to reacquaint myself with another custom I grew up with, but haven’t experienced as an adult, in quite some time.

We lit up the house with bats, carved the pumpkins. I served the neighborhood trick-or-treaters. 

Alas, no ghosts, goblins, zombies or crazies showed up. Maybe next year…?