Tag: Trick or Treat

  • Halloweens of the Past

    The other day, as we were putting together the kid’s costume for Halloween, she asked me, what did I dress up as for Halloween? At first this seemed like such an easy question to answer, and I started to respond that I went as a pirate, a cowboy, a California Raisin, Indiana Jones… and… and then I couldn’t remember. I drew a blank.

    I could remember being a pirate when my family lived in Alabama, which would have made me five. Then I remembered the first Halloween in Texas, a cowboy – real shock there. I know that I did the California Raisin thing in 6th grade because there was a girl I liked and she thought it would be cute if I went as that, which I think shows you how desperate I was to get any female attention. And then Indiana Jones I did in 7th grade to coincide with Last Crusade which had come out that Summer, but it was also my last Halloween because I did feel too old to be out Trick or Treating.

    That leaves a gap in my memory from 1st to 5th grade.

    Now, I remember going Trick or Treating with my friends over those years. I remember the old guy who gave out pennies, and the house that gave out toothbrushes. There was the could that gave apples, and the family that wrapped Bible verses around mini Snickers bars. And there was the family that turned their home into a Haunted House that you could go through. I remember the junior high boys that would throw eggs, toilet paper, and water balloons at people. I remember families being out, and the police driving slowly through our neighborhood, keeping an eye out, making sure it was safe, and trying to catch those boys on their bikes. I remember the years my mom took me and my friends out, and the times my dad took us.

    But nothing when it comes to my costumes from those years. It’s a blank, while also it feels like it’s on the tip of my tongue, but still won’t materialize.

    It’s a very strange feeling to not be able to remember this. Like, I know it was a big deal dressing up, and taking time to figure out my costume. I know my mom would help me put it together… but I just can’t remember.

    Odd…

  • It’s Halloween, Ya’ll!

    The day is finally here. The kid had trouble sleeping last night, because she’s very excited about all the fun that will happen today. Not only does she get to wear her costume to school, she’s going as Coraline, but this year her parents are joining in on the fun and going as Coraline’s parents. We’ll get an early dinner, and then meet up with friends and do a group Trick or Treating tonight. And right before the grownup’s invade the streets of New York to have their fun, we’ll get a cab home to avoid all the shenanigans. It will be a late night, with a possible tummy ache.

    The funny conversation we had while skipping to school this morning was her asking me when was the last year I tricked or treated? I was in 6th grade, so that puts it at 1988. I went as Indiana Jones, and walking around with my friends, going door to door, I felt the embarrassment of being too old for this. Twelve years old is an awkward age, but I’m pretty sure I was the twelve-year-old that wanted to be a 16-year-old, and being around real little kids just wasn’t cool anymore.

    I fear that the reason the kid asked me this was to try a gage how many trick or treat Halloweens she has left. I hope that wasn’t the reason because that would mean that she is aware of the mortality of certain events in her life. I had thought we had a year or two left of her thinking these occasions/events/holidays went on forever in their cycle – never changing just repeating. But they do change. Ever so slightly from year to year.

    And that’s why I told her that Halloween does stay fun. I had a bunch of really great Halloweens in my college theatre department. It is a holiday that is prime for a certain group of people who like to put on costumes, get into character, and then have a late-night party – that was a lot of fun. But most of all, I remember the friendships, and the good times with people I enjoyed seeing, being with, and working with as well. There was a lull between kid Halloween and grownup Halloween, but each one has its place. Now I’m smack in the middle of parent Halloween, which is pretty unique on its own, and also has a very special place as well.

    So, I hope everyone has fun tonight. Be safe and celebrate in your own way. For me, I’ll be that guy chasing after his daughter in a green Michigan State sweatshirt, because that’s what I want to do for Halloween.