Too Many Treats

Halloween has always been a big deal for my family. When my children were little, my husband loved walking them around the neighborhood in Warminster to collect their treats. When they returned home, they would empty their bags on the living room floor and begin swapping candy. Of course, their Dad would collect his “tax” for chaperoning them. I always enjoyed greeting the neighborhood children and complimenting them on their costumes.

Time has changed a lot of things. My six children are all adults now, and four of them have children of their own. Halloween is still a special time for them. The new tradition is that siblings that live closest come to my neighborhood in La Plata, so the cousins can trick or treat together and I get to enjoy the fun. This year, Michael, 6, was the red Power Ranger, Ellie, almost 3, was Belle from Beauty and the Beast and Tommy, 15 months, was a dinosaur. My other grandchildren who live a distance away, trick or treat in their own neighborhoods. Ari, 7, was a zombie cheerleader, Nora, 6 1/2, was a bat, and Hannah, almost 5 was a vampire. The excitement of the trick or treaters is contagious. They barely eat dinner, because they can’t wait to get out the door.

Unfortunately, this Halloween was marred by the rain. What started as a sprinkle intensified and soaked most of the revelers. Some of them braved the inclement weather and continued their trek, while others retreated to the comfort of their homes. When Michael, Ellie and Tommy returned they spread their loot out on the family room floor and exchanged some candy. Tommy would motion to someone that he wanted lollipops unwrapped. He gave each lollipop a lick and then threw it back into his plastic pumpkin.

In the past few years, there were so many trick or treaters that I always ran out of candy. This year, however, I overbought treats not anticipating the weather. There was no need to shut the lights off on the porch, and even though the last trick or treaters were given extra bags of candy, there was still a surplus. Fortunately, I was able to donate the extra treats to a local food pantry.

Despite the unfavorable weather conditions, Halloween was still a good experience for my grandchildren, and vicariously a good experience for me. Even though time has changed a lot of things, it hasn’t changed the childhood adventure of Halloween!