Halloween...the Memories

October 14, 2012

When I was a kid, I both loved and dreaded Halloween. I loved dressing up and going out to "trick or treat" our neighbors. They always gave great candy bars... the big ones, not the little, overpriced, reduced fat miniature things kids get today.

I would walk around the neighborhood gathering up all the candy I could get, have fun with my friends, and scare our little brothers and sisters with spooky tales about the run down house on our block. What great times.

So, now you are wondering why I would talk about such fun and still say that I also dreaded Halloween. Well, here's why. My mom did not really like for us to eat that much candy. Fortunately for her, my birthday came two days after Halloween.

When I was in school, it was acceptable for us to bring a treat to share with our classmates on our birthdays. So, a great deal of my candy went to school each year to "share" with my fellow classmates. I used to get really upset about that. My mom was very practical and in her mind, there was no need for her to buy treats for me to share when I had all that Halloween candy.

When I was in 6th grade, I got creative and changed costumes with one of my friends. I tried to make it around the neighborhood again to supplement my anticipated loss of candy to classmates. This scheme was quickly squashed when a neighbor called our moms to report what we were up to. So, I was no better off than the year before. Once again, I gave up my candy for the greater good.

That was the last time I went "trick or treating". When I got to 7th grade, I was too cool to go. What was the use anyway? I knew what would happen. Besides, my brothers Halloween candy had always tasted better than mine! Check out Tricks and Treats: Magic with Eric Vaughn or Halloween Tricks with Eric Eicher.

Start making some of your own Halloween memories by attending the Not-So-Scary Halloween Show or Junie B. Jones: Boo! And I Mean It! program.

Have a safe and Happy Halloween.

Shari E.
Smithville Branch