One Last Hoo....rrahh For Halloween 2008
Posted: Sunday, October 26, 2008
by Sandra E. Graham
My Books and Articles
We have just five more days to prepare for the ‘Goblin Swarm' to swoop through the neighborhood with an onslaught of miniature Freddys and Jasons and Darth Vaders and Princess Barbies and any number of other characters that turn out for this celebration of all hallows eve. My four-year-old grandson just called me with his ‘third' decision about who he was going to be-now it is Jack from the Nightmare Before Christmas as opposed to his earlier selections of a police officer and Jason. There are just too many fantastic costumes to choose from! But isn't it great fun!
Halloween has changed much over the last fifty years. When I was a kid, we didn't worry much (actually the kids never worried at all and parents worried but little) about candy with pins and needles secreted through the wrappers, broken razor blades, rat poison, and all other sick forms of deviant additives that sick people can concoct. I traversed the dark streets of St. Louis, Missouri with eight to ten other kids and we never lost a goblin and never received any bad candy. Was it pure luck or have the times really changed so drastically? I'm afraid that our times have changed, and for the worse.
Gone are the days when we could allow our kids to roam the neighborhood alone to do their trick-or-treating. Now if you want your kids to dress up in their costumes and chant their "TRICK or TREAT!"s , you take them to houses that have the lights on and Halloween decorations on the porch and you know the occupants well. Most people who don't want to be bothered by little Star Wars invaders or Spider Men or Princess Leahs just leave their lights off and ignore any knocks that come uninvited.
You can take your kids to the Malls where the stores give out treats and you can be fairly sure the treats can be trusted. If you don't fully trust the candy your children have collected throughout the night, there are hospitals that do free ex-ray exam of the candy.
Halloween is definitely a children's holiday. I know that in the beginning it had a much more perverse theme, but over the years it has mellowed to become one that is great fun for the kids. So, for that reason, at my house we continue to put up the Halloween decorations, keep all the walks and entrances well lighten throughout the night and huge bowls of candy on tables beside each entrance. We love children and enjoy making their little games as safe and as enjoyable as we possibly can.
May God be with all our little Trick-or-Treaters as they go out this Halloween and watch over them and keep them safe from harm.
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http://www.SearchWarp.com/Register.aspSandra E. Graham, author, AMOS JAKEY and NICOLINA published by American Book Publishing. I also write book reviews for authors through Book Pleasures. Visit my website for more information on my books that are in print now and reviews I have written.
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Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)Hi Sandra, yes, God bless and protect those little kiddies! Halloween unfortunately, continues to have the evil in it that came from its roots. It did die down for centuries, but with the rise of open paganism, Halloween is once again back to its orginal intent. God bless you bunchesAnd that is why we don't put any more emphasis on Halloween than the dressing up our little 'monsters' and handing out treats.Thanks for reading and commenting, Teresa and all the best to you.Sandra
Yes, Sandra, times have changed but we can't let the children miss out - we have to be cautious and discerning -- My Laura too has changed her mind about 5 times and, of course, I'll be trick and treating right along side of her with our dog, Shadow, who will be dressed up to Happy Halloween!That's great, Judi. I love seeing whole families go out with their kids. It is all in fun and the kids love it.Thanks for reading and commenting.Sandra
"Gone are the days when we could allow our kids to roam the neighborhood alone to do their trick-or-treating- what a sad thing that this should be." What happened to those days? It was a time both adults and children loved. It is a sad commentary on the times we live in.Thanks, Robert. I miss those days too.God Bless.Sandra
Great article, Sandra. It made me reminence about the "good ole days" when Trick-or-Treating was safer and we didn't worry about so many things connected with it.Thank you so much, Janice. I'm glad you enjoyed the article.And welcome to searchwarp.Sandra
Your story really touched me. It's good to see that there are still those of us who appreciate the important things about holidays: family, kids, and just having innocent fun. Hopefully, one day, we can get back to the days of not locking our doors, but only God truly knows.Thanks for your kind words, Matthew. And welcome to searchwarp.Sandra
Thanks for the fond memories, Sandra. Take care and be well.Thanks, Avis. I love old memories and as you know, I love sharing them. Perhaps I brag too much?????SandraSandra, I wouldn't consider it bragging at all! Keep sharing "old memories." It's a win/win, you love it and so do we!
Avis
hi sandra,i like the idea of an article on the fun of Halloween, and the care that needs to be taken. luckily, my kids are past that age, but i was a van runner around the neighborhood for many years, stopping, waiting until they went to a few houses, moving up, etc. come to think of it, was Halloween that much fun? :)my best regards,sueThanks, Sue. As with most fun kid's activities, our enjoyment is in theirs.God Bless.Sandra
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