Growing up I lived in the zoo. Sometimes I don’t think people understand that I was in the middle of the zoo, inside the fence, next to the animals. So there was no trick or treating. We dressed up when we were little and my dad drove us to a random neighborhood, but that was only for a couple of years and then he was too busy and it was kind of sad anyway so we did nothing. Of course trick or treaters could not get to us inside the gates of the zoo, so literally we did nothing.
When I got married and had an apartment I was almost giddy that we would have trick or treaters. There were not many, but certainly more than I had ever seen before! Then we bought a house and moved to a neighborhood with lots of kids. And eventually had a kid of our own. And I was SO excited about Halloween.
When we moved into a house, I would invite my parents to come to dinner and be a part of Jon’s Halloween and see the trick or treaters- something new for them. But eventually, as with all things, they lost interest and no longer cared. (They won’t even come at Christmas anymore!) But I am still happy to see the kids come to my door. I have already planned a festive dinner for Wednesday (Halloween) and just bought 9 HUGE bags of candy. Two blocks down there is a street that has a big festival and all of the houses are decorated to the hilt. It draws tons of people who pass by my house on the way there. Being busy with school, my Halloween decor is not as elaborate as it used to be, or will be after I graduate. This year I have a rehearsal at school until 5. That means I won’t be home until 6 or later due to rush hour so I have put Tim in charge until I can get there. But I have lots of candy which will all be gone I feel sure.
I hear the kids at school talk about dressing up and see their pictures on facebook. I always think that the older kids who come to say trick or treat should get rocks like Charlie Brown but I know the kids at school are going to Rocky Horror or parties, etc. I missed my time to do the trick or treat thing and if I think high schoolers are too old, I am sure I am. Being a college “kid” will not save me on this one!! Hopefully I am learning a craft that will allow me to dress up and be a different character for years to come and not just on Halloween! And luckily, I can get myself candy whenever I want!
