Keep Calm and Eat More Candy

Okay, I’m just going to put it out there. Halloween is my 2nd most favorite-est holiday of the year. I’m sure it dates back to being on a military post, where the houses only had a couple of feet in between them. And this meant, a pillow case (yes, I said pillow case) full of candy with minimal effort. Oh, and there was the fun of dressing up. Elementary school was about princesses and super heroes. Middle school was about scary. High school was all about the parties. College was all about the parties. Adulthood is all about … so what is it all about for us who are chronologically superior? I guess, for some it is a hassle. For others there is still a glimmer of childlike fun and festivity.

For me, as I sit and think about it, looking at the decorations in my own home, I have to smile. I still get a kick out of the decorations. I still love to engage the children donning their finest Halloween wares. It’s still a blast watching adult parents dress up the entire family, including dog, with themed costumes. It really is all quite spectacular.

And then, upon further reflection, I can’t help but belly laugh when it comes to this most interesting holiday. We constantly tell our children don’t talk to strangers, don’t take anything from a stranger, don’t look at a stranger. But at Halloween, all bets are off. We allow our kids to go to stranger’s homes, knock on their doors, engage them with “Trick or Treat” and then gleefully take candy from them. The irony is absolutely fabulous!

So, whether you see Halloween as Hallmark and Hershey just taking more of our money, or children’s revenge on adults or a time to ‘be’ our alter egos, just a small bit of advice. Sit back. Enjoy. The season is almost over. Keep Calm and Eat More Candy. Happy Halloween!