Tricking and Treating

I do not know if I am getting older or severely out of touch, but when I was a kid I celebrated Halloween once in my classroom at school and on Halloween night. ( I think if Halloween fell on a Sunday Trick or Treating was practiced on Saturday night.) Now because of the Trunk or Treats from churches and schools and fire departments and whoever else a kid can bank on a hefty stash of candy prior to Halloween night. Like all the other holidays Halloween has gone beyond commercialized.

Because I grew up on a country road with few neighbors in between, my sister and I would meet up with our cousins at our grandparents' house for Trick or Treating. Typically, there was a meal and we always got a late start. My granny had this old family kitchen table with the pedestal cut down to serve as a coffee table. At the table we performed last minute make-up and after our treating was completed where we sorted our candy. There were neighbors known for their scary houses. Approaching the house carefully we would keep our guard up looking for anything suspicious, but ultimately we were scared silly. We tricked in rain, snow, and muggy nights. It was a dedicated tradition.

Then about the age of 10 my parents moved us to a newly developing neighborhood with few kids, which made for unsatisfactory treating. Of course as I and the cousins got too old to Trick or Treat we abandon our grandparents' neighborhood and I probably have not dressed up for the holiday since I was twelve.

As a Christian I have wondered about the sanctity of celebrating All Hallows Eve. My parents struggled with the issue as well. One year as a child we celebrated Halloween at church. I dressed as Esther. There are few options for female biblical characters. Now I am confronted what to do with my daughter.

I am leaning towards the thought that Halloween is fun. It is by choice to transform it into something evil. Halloween is a chance to dress up as someone other than ourselves. The character does not have to be scary or evil. How many Olafs and Elsas did I pass on the streets? Halloween can be a night to feel beautiful and majestic or powerful and dangerous. To live out a dream or fantasy and not worry about the criticism. Then to have complete strangers admire your character is the best complement of all.

Last Halloween when Lucy was 7 months old we skipped Trick or Treating, mostly because there was freezing rain. This year I have encouraged Lucy to be more active. I bought a Bee costume at a children's consignment store along with a crown and scepter hailing her the Queen Bee. My husband brought home a hardhat then I bought two fabric flowers to attach to the hardhat acting as my feelers along with buying wings declaring myself as the worker bee. The husband was to dress as the beekeeper, but he backed out at the last minute.

Forget the idea mommy and daddy get candy that a 19 month old should not eat. Forget my daughter really cannot say 'Trick or Treat.' (It sounds more like "Tree Tree.) Imagine instead how much fun we are having. It has been fun hearing Lucy say 'Please' with a sign for candy. It has been fun watching her waltz around the house with purple wings. It has been fun seeing her enjoyment from glow sticks whether as a wand or bracelet or necklace. It has been fun watching her new found independence walking to explore the Halloween decorations. It has even been fun washing the candy off her face and sticky fingers.

Every day Lucy is growing stronger with walking so it is a delight to see her participate in this season on two feet. It is my plan to take full advantage of this holiday. We have enjoyed festivities during Storytime at the library, our downtown center square, the local feed supply store, and the community center. When you are as cute as Lucy is it is important to show her off. Not to mention I have been trigger happy with my camera capturing all the wonderful expressions and memories.