Otherwise, I really don’t care for Halloween.
The basis for my dislike is that evil gets plenty of publicity on the nightly news without our dedicating a holiday to it. The world seems to get scarier by the minute, and it seems no excuse is necessary for people to behave horribly and terrorize others. So no, I don’t like the creepy, spooky, demonic aspects of this holiday.
Yes, I know it has deep-seeded roots, all the way back to a Celtic festival. And I know it was once known as All Hallows Eve, the night before the religious observance of All Saints Day, a reverent remembrance of the dead and the saints who have gone before us. And who doesn’t applaud the optimism of Charlie Brown waiting for the Giant Pumpkin to arrive?
However, the reverence is mostly gone, the Giant Pumpkin hasn’t shown up, and it says something about our society that Halloween is now the second largest revenue producing holiday—just barely behind Christmas. How must that make Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day feel? Gratitude and love aren’t as important as jack-o-lanterns, spider webs, and haunted houses?
So I wish my readers a HAPPY Halloween. No witches, walking dead people, zombies, chainsaw murderers and the like. No maligning or torturing of black cats. Just a chance to build community by giving some safely packaged candy to your neighbor kids and by connecting with their parents in a positive way. And finally, a feeling of relief when you turn out the lights and head to bed to rest up for the next holiday that might scare the socks off you. Election Day!
HAPPY Halloween!
Agreed. I love telling the little princesses how beautiful they look and enjoy being scared by pirates that come to the door. We don’t get many at our house anymore because there are a couple, at least, places downtown that make a big to-do for the kids. My daughter has stocked up candy at her office downtown because today all the moms and little ones go from shop to shop gathering all that sweet stuff. Lots of hyper kids after today.
Glad they are staying safe, Betty! Thanks for sharing.
We didn’t have ‘trick or treat’ when I grew up in a small community, because the ‘big boys’ (actually men in their (20s) were destructive. We did have an afternoon dress up party for the entire community sponsored by the two churches.
Years passed, and ‘t ‘n t’ happened once again. Then in the 1980s, there was a major change. Children arrived at the door of ‘Senior Saints’ in the community, bringing treats instead of expecting to receive them. What fun my Mom had identifying the children, most of them the children or grandchildren of the kids she served in the community school lunchroom.
Peggy, 100 kids were supposed to come trick-or-treating at the assisted living where I volunteer today, but they coudn’t come because we have snow! I know both groups were disappointed. What a sweet event for your mom.
I am with you!!
Jimmie
Not that we don’t like chocolate! LOL
Right on! Love this!
Thanks, Jan. Have a good one!
Well said!
Thanks, Charlie!
I agree with all of it except I’m looking forward to election day! Take care.
You too!!
Yesterday I literally interviewed a witch who casts spells and makes potions. Evil is real. Dressing up as cute Disney characters is fun. Thank you for helping us to distinguish the important difference.
great perspective!
an opportunity to smile and share
to be assured that kids will always be wonderful…