"Trick or Treat Time Almost Here!" - Time Out #112

2 days and counting.

Halloween, truly one of our most popular days on the American calendar, in my humble opinion.

It has been one of my favorite celebrations forever in my 3 score and 10-years on planet Earth!

Way back when in Our Town, as I was growing up on West 4th Avenue and later on West 9th Avenue, I began getting excited about this orange and black celebration when the calendar turned to October. So, for 4-plus weeks, I constantly questioned which costume I would wear, and what trick or treating walking route I would take with my dear buddies. I would even gain a dress rehearsal at Westwood Elementary, and later at Eugene Field Elementary, as we were encouraged by our teachers to wear our costumes to school one day before the special night.

As I have related several times in past installments, I grew up in gentler and simpler times in Our Town. These facts were never more apparent than on Halloween night. Hordes and hordes of unsupervised youth would flood the simple Stillwater streets, dressed as all sorts of characters, laughing and talking the entire few hours we were outside in the night air. Automobile drivers on the streets then, were well-aware of the ghosts, witches and goblins out and about. Therefore, their vehicles proceeded with absolute caution. I always ended the Halloween evening activities with a large brown paper grocery sack full of candy or other tasty items during those nights, bonding with my fellow peeps.

So many great memories, dear readers everywhere.

As the years rolled on and I began my long educational path which required many hours of study, the Halloweens I would spend at various homes were fun-filled, too. Instead of running around the neighborhood, I gained immense satisfaction from putting on a costume or mask, and handing out treats to my doorbell-ringing trick or treaters. Often ,I would chat with a few of them, and take photos of them wearing their colorful outfits. Yes, I also would be "forced' to eat an occasional candy bar during those evenings, and possibly (?) ate a few of the leftover ones for several weeks later.

Fast forward to fatherhood, and bride, Debbie, and our 3 children.

Gosh, I enjoyed celebrating Halloween with that quartet!

Of course, I always encouraged our kids to invite many of their friends to come over to our digs, and we would go out together as a large group. As long as I can remember, I have owned a pickup truck. That type of vehicle was code then for lots of trick or treaters in the bed to slowly ride through the many neighborhoods adjacent to our home. Dad (i.e., me!) would be appropriately costumed to the max while I piloted the Halloween vehicle for the entire group. One special year, I even borrowed a large flatbed truck from a friend, so I was able to take even more goblins that particular year, at least for a few hours. That specific year, however, the end of the night was not as seamless as planned, as the large, borrowed truck broke down, forcing us to walk home. Fortunately, home wasn't too far away, and we had plenty of sugar to consume going back. I think we laughed most of the return trip, knowing we had just made a lifelong memory.

As our children grew into their mid-teens, trick or treating with them began to evaporate.

What did I do to compensate for this loss of my children's companionship this special evening?

I simply requested they bring their date and or friends by our home before they went to their Halloween costume party, and they did. Ms. Debbie and I briefly chatted with them, took appropriate pics, and the younger folks were off into the night. I then dawned my scary mask, and handed out treats at our front door.

During many of our active children-years and the following empty-nest period, Ms. Debbie displayed her incredible decorating talents, both inside and outside our home.

The most memorable year, Debbie skillfully decorated our entire large front yard with a zillion various spooky items, and the absolute jewel that year was the large fog-producing machine she placed near our front door. The unsuspecting youngsters would come to the door, passing through the dense fog, and ring the doorbell. Costumed, I would answer it, and pass out the goodies, while my bride was wonderfully dressed as a witch, sitting in a rocking chair on the front porch. She was ultra quiet, and only rarely came to life to cackle/scare the occasional, older teenage crowd. The younger people were all spared Debbie's character coming to life!

As we all know, time marches on.

Halloween is still Halloween.

My mind's eye has wonderful memories. How about yours?