Halloween

For some folks, Halloween is an evil time.  For my family, and for me growing up, it was always a fun time.  For as rigid and fundamental as my mother was, all of that went out the window when Halloween came.  She baked and decorated, and dressed the kids up and sent them out the door. 

Side bar, thinking of my mother right now I am reminded that death is such a mysterious thing.  Mom was so alive and happy during the Halloween season - now, well, she is gone............ life is short.

Back to the story.  Mom put a box on the front porch and above it a sign that she hung on the front door of our home.  There was a witch on a broom and she was saying to the kids that would ring the bell, "welcome kiddies, put all of your goodies in the box below.  Go quietly and no one will get hurt."  Mom thought that was very funny.  Looking back on it, it is funny.

1st, 2nd, 3rd grade, we ran the neighborhood by ourselves in the pitch black of night.  We would canvas an eight block area from Wornall Rd to Walnut Street and 96th to 99th.  And oh, the booty to be claimed.  We brought back pillow cases full of candy.  I usually would have to quit, go home and empty it out, and then go back for more.  You had to be careful about this, because if Dad was awake, he would pick thru your loot and eat all the Hershey bars.

Carmel apples.  Popcorn balls.  Snickers.  M&Ms.  Black Cows.  God bless Halloween it was a time of unbridled joy in the life of a young person growing up in the 60's.  And so for some strange reason, I look forward to it every year.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.