Kim’s Blog: Trick or Treat?

Kim’s Blog: Trick or Treat?

Last night we observed the annual Halloween ritual of costumed children, teens and even adults going from house to house and being given candy. We had lots of trick or treaters on our street. A steady stream, giving our dogs quite a work out barking! Some homes had elaborate decorations involving skeletons, ghosts, tombstones, and more.

Each year for Halloween we have candy ready for the trick or treaters who come through our neighborhood. This year as October 31 got closer, I still had not shored up our stores of candy. The decorations were not down from the attic. I didn’t carve a pumpkin. I just didn’t have the passion that I usually have for this holiday. Was it because I am on a weight reduction regime from my doctor and didn’t want to pass out fattening, unhealthy candy? Was it the recent move by the county commission to remove fluoride from the county water system that made me more concerned about dental health and cavities? Was it the ghoulish gore of many of the costumes in a world with more than enough real life blood and guts? Was it the violence that is implied in many of the outfits? Or the weapons wielded by many a trick or treater that offends my sensibilities in a culture where guns are far too easy to procure? I don’t know why, but my heart simply wasn’t in it this year.

Monday afternoon, I relented and headed to the store for some candy. I picked what my husband and son like so that any leftovers are sure to get eaten. As dusk descended, I turned on the porch light and prepared myself to be continuously interrupted by the ringing door bell, candy near to the door but out of the reach of our dogs. Jeff and I took turns at the door commenting on the costumes and doling out treats. At one point, Jeff asked me, in an accusatory tone, “How much candy are you giving them?” “Just three or four pieces,” I replied. “What about you?” “The same. I thought you must be giving them more because the bag is getting low. There must be a lot of kids out tonight!” And so the evening continued until the candy was gone. Then we headed to a neighborhood haunted house and graveyard display.

Trick or treat? I was ambivalent going into it, but I think the custom of kids going from house to house expecting a welcome and a sweet in our “don’t talk to strangers” world won out. I couldn’t resist. Halloween was a treat!