Again it is All Hallows Eve, and you are thankful that you have a choice about whether or not to eat Corned Beef. It is something that you now decline. Too many bad childhood memories.
The air is crisp, the night dark as you escort the group of children from mini mansion, to extraordinary over sized suburban dream. A group that includes your niece and nephew, along with assorted cousins. You reflect on how much Halloween has changed since you went out as a child.
Your black pointed witch's hat, and long skirt, may disguise you, and allow you the fun of dressing up again, but it hinders your ability to keep up with the kids, once again. You don't dare let them out of your sight, not even for a second. Although there are three adults, you are all carefully watching for cars, strangers, and bad candy.
"Do not eat anything until we get home and we can check the candy", the wicked witch next to you, the one who is your sister chants. Her long purple hair asssuming a livid color under the streetlights.
"It was never like this when we were kids, " remarks the other black coated, pointy shoed, hag. "Our parents could let us run free all night, we always came home."
"Times change, and besides this is the last year we can let them out, from now on it is all indoor parties, and vetted treats." it is just not safe here any longer.
As you run from house to house trying to keep up, you realize that each year there are less and less children on the street, but the proportion of candy given out has increased. Now most children run up to the door, scream "trick or treat," grab the candy and run, the hapless homeowner left holding the bag so to speak.
Smashed pumpkins litter the street, victims of vandalism, and lack of decent candy. But the kids that are in your group are too excited to care. They are outside in the dark, running around, and making a Halloween memory of their own.
Very nice storytelling. I was right there with you-not keeping up either:)
ReplyDeleteThere was definitely something about being out on the street, late at night, alone with perhaps one other child, catching glimpses of others dashing about in the shadows, skirting 'the scary old man's house', and feeling part of one big adventure.
ReplyDelete"pointy shoed hag" lol
ReplyDeleteGreat spooky photos again!! Isn't it a shame that you now have to worry about that other part of halloween instead of just worrying whether the children eat too much candy at one time.
Oh I remember the days...it was grand fun! We would scare ourselves silly over darkened bushes, a glimmer of light behind closed drapes.
ReplyDeleteSad, how time has taken pure fun away from our children.
Love the photos. But so sorry to hear that it just isn't safe anymore. We live in a small street in a safe part of the world - probably like it was before in your part of the world. Kids go out at night on their own and no one worries - apart from how much sugar they are getting and how bad it is for the teeth.
ReplyDeleteHappy Halloween to you guys, too!
Another 'goodie' post, Jen. I was always a witch ("Perfect costume," say my children ;) Happy Halloweeen!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Yes, things have definitely changed since I was a kid. We are lucky if we have one trick-or-treater come to our door now. Yet, at a church Harvest Festival last Saturday, I got to see the spirit of Halloween's past just for an evening. It was wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Cindy
Very nicely done..loved the descriptions! The kids are safe here..in the boonies..they have to come by automobile or be prepared to hike! I am going to take pictures of all of them IF anyone shows up!:)
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing better than a pumpkin in the raw. This jack o lantern thing is downright scary ... and I'm must talking about the carving part!
ReplyDelete