Halloween is right around the corner and now that the weather in New England has decided to cooperate and return to fall (a comfortable 50 instead of 71+ degrees outside), things are setting up for a great Sunday Trick or Treat day.
Considering how Halloween has become so sanitized for kids now, trick or treating in Malls, after school programs etc. and fewer and fewer are going out at night around neighborhoods, I wonder if kids today really enjoy it as much as folks my age did. When I tell folks I barely remember what I did yesterday I truly mean it, but there are some memories of my "kid life" that I do remember and look back fondly on:
1) my first costume, Princess of course with those nasty smelling plastic masks that are now forever band as safety hazards. Come on where's the fun in trick or treating without the fear of suffocating. My brother Paul was so patient escorting me that year (kindergarten)-thanks Paul.
2) Getting to go out at night w/out parents or siblings. Yes, something that is definitely not allowed now, groups of 4 or more just walking from 8-10pm by themselves no parental units in site. That's right, I use to either do my neighborhood with friends, or get a ride to one of my friend's houses, and do their neighborhood. No parents accompanied us, it was just the "use your flashlight, stay on the sidewalk and come home before 10" speech. I mean wow the freedom and liberation, all part of what makes Halloween great -being someone else, being reckless, thinking something may be just around the corner, a bit of an adrenaline junkie yes? Plus back then it wasn't strange to behold multiple groups of kids between 5-10 walking around, there were tons of kids out.
3) Coming home to find the light out in front of the house cause we ran out of candy. It use to be a badge of honor to see which street had houses that had to shut off the lights first, more kids, candy ran out fast -somehow that made your house special.
4) Hating your costume but still having fun. I was a Gypsy for 5 years (I swear) running. My mother really wasn't sew queen or imagination queen so long peasant skirt and blouse plus some of her costume jewelry and there I was Stephanie the Gypsy. But I never got to walk with a Chrystal ball or say "beware of the moors and stay on the road." oh well. After that, my sister's pep squad outfit turned me into cheerleader for another 5 years or so running, so original or funky costume wearing was not part of my experience.
5) Having wonderful neighborhood moms. Thank you Mrs. Shattuck for dressing up your outside porch with cobwebs, witches faces in a Chrystal ball and scary music. Thank you Mrs. Allard for inviting us kids in asking us about our costumes, making warm apple cider and serving it in a punch bowl and having a plate of homemade cookies as treats.
6) Thanks UNICEF for working on my catholic guilt, "geeze I have to ask for funds for UNICEF and half the folks are saying candy or donation, my god the choice the choice"!
7)Not so "kid" moments: having a party for my niece who has a bday on Oct. 27 (two have their bdays on that date actually)and seeing them dressed up as ninja turtles, the most sorry ass Cinderella dress (sorry Marianna you're usually ace these things, but yikes) and then my nephew Jason as the best Eddie Munster ever (what a widow's peak he had)
8) Casing out houses near one brother with nieces and nephews cause the neighbors gave out King size candy bars. WHAT? King Size Candy bars? You heard me, KING SIZE!
9) Finally, my favorite memory ever. 1 hour into walking around with Jason, Tracy and Rachel. Jason so happy to be dressed as Dr. Grant from Jurassic Park, with his hat, red bandanna scarf, khakis and blue shirt. We even put a homemade JPark badge on his shirt. Well sadly most folks took one look and said, "Oh Indiana Jones, how cute." The downfallen look on his face at each of these visits was heartbreaking after an hour of them. Then, one of the last houses of the night, two teenage girls answer the door. They seemed to be transplanted valley girls, but god bless them they were awesome. One look at Jason and the both squealed "Cool! Dr. Grant- that's so neat" The smile that lit up his face and all the way through his big brown meatball eyes...I thought my sister was going to tip them for figuring out his costume, after we both gave them a hug. When we told them how people thought he was Indiana Jones their response "Duh, how stupid, he has no whip!"
Ah Halloween, I miss you-and hope that even in this day and age of precautionary and limited trick or treating kids out there are making their own fun memories....
