It all started about 5 p.m. last Monday night. I was watching
the evening news and I heard a quiet little tap on my door.
It
was the first of many trick or treaters to visit my house
the next couple of hours. When I looked out, I saw a green
dinosaur wearing a smiley face. He was just getting started
and I told him to take a handful from our huge, stainless
bowl full of a big assortment of treats. He said “Thank you” and
rushed off to show his mom, patiently waiting, what he had
chosen.
As
I said, the dinosaur was the first of many — and the “BOWL,” Pat
and I were ready. It was still a few minutes before the big
rush and I tried to keep glancing at the TV. In the New England
area, where one of our daughters lives, the news was sad. Many
areas had to postpone Halloween due to any early Nor’easter
that was delivering heavy snow that would cause tree branches
and wires to fall. It was said millions of people were
affected along the eastern states and millions were without
electricity.
News
announcers from that area repeatedly stated: “Do
not go out and do not allow children to go begging because
of the danger of encountering downed wires in the dark.”
The areas that had to cancel Halloween were promising the youngsters
they would reschedule as soon as it was safe.
I
really felt sorry for all those kids being aware of how they
look forward to the scary night. I was
grateful
we
were not
facing the same circumstances because Pat and I also
look forward to seeing all those cute — and some frightening — beggars.
As I sat waiting for the next group of kids to arrive, I heard
an outbreak of yelling, and when I looked out I saw a crazy
sight. Witches and ghosts, hobos and tinker bells running out
in the middle of the street in front of my house. Parents were
joining their kids in the activity as I stepped out to see
what the ruckus was. Fortunately, people were stopping their
cars and some of them joined in. When I approached, I found
out two little puppies from the house across the street had
snuck out and were easily eluding the kids and parents chasing
them.
My
neighbor Benny, who is disabled, was passing out treats when
his pups dashed out. His neighbors
next
door joined
the chase and after a few more anxious moments,
the pets were retrieved
and tucked back inside Benny’s house. We now all had
a large group of youngsters who wanted to get back to the job
at hand — capturing as many treats as possible
in their allotted time.
As
trick or treaters came and went, we were overjoyed with the
sight of the kids having such a great
time. A large
group of kids and parents walked up and as
we expected, a small
voice sang out, “Hi Fred.” When
I looked down there were two of my favorite
beggars,
the
Zimmerman kids,
Jentry and
Jett.
The past few years their kids, first Jentry then joined by
brother Jett, have made our Halloween experience extra enjoyable.
They are the children of a young man who worked on my charter
boat. I knew then he would turn out well but who could have
guessed his kids would become so special to our Halloween fun.
Another Zimmerman with the group had her dog dressed up like
a bumblebee.
Yes,
AS I SEE IT – FUN! That is what Pat and I have on
beggar’s night. As the night went on, I shouted hello
to my neighbor across the street and he too responded, “This
sure is fun, isn’t it.” We
were especially happy to see so many parents
with
their kids,
some even in costumes.
It seems during these hard times, families
are growing closer together. At least that
is a positive
out
of so many negatives
lately.
We
could see the happiness in the childrens’ faces and
hear it in their voices as they sang out “thank you.” At
one point I had to set down my big bowl on the step to reach
in and get my jacket. A group of older girls approached with
sacks loaded so when they bent down to the bowl I told them, “Just
dump your bags out here.” That comment brought a few
frowns, but then they all laughed and raided the bowl. When
it was almost empty and beggars hours were almost over, my
neighbor came over and said, “Wow,
what a great bunch of kids, but I had
to run up
town for
more
candy.”
We
both agreed it had been years since we had such nice weather
for Halloween,
though
when
the first
kids started
out it
had tried to sprinkle. That must have
been the weather gods’ way
of saying, “OK kids, have a great
night.”
And boy, they sure did!