It is that time of year again. It is a time for teens, and adults, to be children and play dress-up. This is truly one of my favorite holidays. When I was a girl, mom would stay home and hand out treats and dad would drive me, from our rural home, to Griffith, where the houses were close together. He would park at the end of the block and watch me go up one side and down the other. When I got back to the car, dad got to check out the candy and I got back in the car for the next block.
It is amazing how everyone is a friend on Halloween. I was Trick or Treating in a different school district and I always discovered a kid or two to run and laugh with. Including the year I met that awesome Zorro. What’s not to love? There’s dress-up and pretend, being out after dark, being let out of your own yard (for me that was a big adventure) and there was candy; specifically, chocolate.
The two boys left at home, in my house, had never “done” Halloween before they moved in with us. They were really excited about the school parties the first year they were here and ended up Trick or Treating. EMT boy won school award for the scariest costume. It was a strange mix of mask, green fake fur and such. I thought it was kind of funny and so did he. It is accepted for teens to trick or treat in our town. Of course, I think the homeowners have decided it beats the alternative.
These guys though, were like two little kids their first year here. Any time I found a cheap costume, I started picking them up. They now should have (I say should as at time the stuff is all over the house) two rubbermaids of stuff: phony teeth, makeup, chains, hooks, wigs, capes, and the whole deal. After that first Halloween, we went to about four stores and picked up a bunch of sale stuff. It was their absolute favorite Christmas gift. Every once in a while they will still just surprise us, in the middle of the summer, when they come up the stairs in mask and costume.
You know, it’s a great escape. I hope they never outgrow it. Laughter is one key to good health and if we could all retain that playful attitude we could enrich our lives and those around us.
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