Halloween is tomorrow and festivities of this night can be
seen everywhere! I remember celebrating
this time with passion and excitement while growing up. It was a time to act goofy with my friends,
dress up and go from house to house seeking the title of who received the most
candy. One year my brother even got
together with friends and created a “spooky maze” in our garage. There was nothing gross about the costumes
and it was simply a “boo!” experience that drew my brothers, my family and our
friends closer together as we all spend endless hours collaborating and
building this spectacular maze that went from the garage, through the backyard
and out around the other side of the house.
When I look back upon these memories, I do not recall any evil involved at all. It was a time to pretend, to laugh, and of course eat a lot of otherwise forbidden, candy! My parents were very careful about checking our candy, explaining how to be safe, and making sure this was a time that we were enjoying festivities and not encountering evil. One year I decided to go outside of the boundaries set by my parents and I walked through a haunted house that was not all fun and games. Inside I saw horrible visions and was the most scared I had ever been. I quickly learned why the boundary was put up and I never crossed that boundary again.
When I look back upon these memories, I do not recall any evil involved at all. It was a time to pretend, to laugh, and of course eat a lot of otherwise forbidden, candy! My parents were very careful about checking our candy, explaining how to be safe, and making sure this was a time that we were enjoying festivities and not encountering evil. One year I decided to go outside of the boundaries set by my parents and I walked through a haunted house that was not all fun and games. Inside I saw horrible visions and was the most scared I had ever been. I quickly learned why the boundary was put up and I never crossed that boundary again.
I know there is a lot of controversy regarding Halloween and
its origin and as a parent now, I agree with keeping your kids from any form of
evil if you possibly can. I agree that
people take this night way too far and make this into the most evil night of
the year. Bottom line is that it is my
job to teach my son how to have good clean fun on a holiday even if the world
around him is screaming evil. This kid is very perceptive to evil and very aware of his boundaries
regarding it. I will step out on a limb
here and be completely honest. I do not see any harm in dressing up as a clean
character; go from door to door for the experience of collecting candy and
spending time with friends and family throughout the night. It is fun.
It is meant to be fun. You’ll
never see me at an adult secular costume party, allowing scary costumes or
scary movies, or playing that awful Halloween music at my house. Why? This is
not why I enjoy Halloween. Although the
least favorite of all holidays, I do enjoy seeing my son dress up as Thomas the
Train and fill a bag with goodies that I normally do not let him eat. I take the candy and replace it with candy
that I bought and know is safe and he is aware of this entire process. He is aware that candy from strangers can’t
be trusted; however the experience of collecting that with his friends and a parent
nearby can be a fun time.
Bottom line for me is that when my son and I dress up and enjoy this time together, it is a memory builder that has nothing to do with any form of evil.
Bottom line for me is that when my son and I dress up and enjoy this time together, it is a memory builder that has nothing to do with any form of evil.
Love the idea of stranger candy replacement with safe treats. Good thinkin'!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteI love the pic :)
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you Virginia! :)
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