Sorry kids..the Lund house will probably be dark on Halloween night.
It’s not that we don’t love you, it’s just we’re too cheap to spring for candy. Nah..that’s not really it either. I suppose the main reason, for me anyway, is that Halloween hasn’t been the same without kids or grandkids around to take trick or treating. I’ve been doing it since my own daughters were little and the tradition continued with my kid’s kids and Linda’s kid’s kids. I loved walking the neighborhood with those excited little souls all dressed up in costume..usually of their own choosing…waiting on the walk as they ran up to the door…first explaining why we only go to houses with the porch lights on.
I fondly remember the joy of hearing their tiny voices either whisper or yell “Trick or Treat” depending on the precociousness of my grandkid’s varied personalities. It was also fun to fake being totally frustrated by having to remind them to say “Thank You” after receiving a sweet reward from the nice person bent over in the lighted doorway. Eventually, their containers would either get full or their little feet would grow tired so I’d plan the shortest route back to our house to show Grandma Linda the big haul. I loved trying to negotiate with the kids for my share of the loot which provided me an opportunity to teach another life lesson; this one about sharing. None of them bought-in to my flimsy threats to paddle their behinds if I didn’t get a few Tootsie Rolls. Oh, what fun it was and oh, how I miss it.
Our youngest grandchild just turned 13 and I suspect considers herself too old for playing the traditional door to door extortion game. Besides, she lives too far away in Lincoln.
We have a great grandchild..but she likely already has a line of high priority chaperones anxious to canvass the neighborhoods on Friday night.
There is another great grandchild on the way. I’m going to put in a request now for the okay to tag along on his first night of meaningful Trick or Treating in three or four years.
Treasure the moments, folks.
Happy Halloween.
Granddaughter Tara and stepdaughter Christy mid 80’s.
Tara as Pocahontas a couple years later.
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8 Responses
There is joy in handing out candy to all of the little goblins coming to the door. Try being on that end of it. I think you will like it.
Love the story Doug! Couldn’t agree more about missing our little ones that nite! But no one said us more mature goblins couldn’t find a VESTA to enjoy a “treat” or two!
Brought tears to this Grandma’s eyes. Seems like yesterday when I would dress my TaraBear up and bring her over to you and Mom and I would provide the candy while waiting for you two/three when Christy was there to arrive back at home and we could examine the haul. I remember you being “the hauler” a few times with Tara in your arms saying she was too tired to walk. Pretty sure we all knew she just wanted the ride in your arms ; ) XOXO
I feel like this too. We used to love going with LoriAnne over to Volga to mom and dad’s but when she grew up the day lost some of its excitement. This year I plan to go to Sioux Center for the evening and will tag along with LA and Seth and Miss Maggie. I think that will be just the ticket to put a little “fun” back in to the evening. Remember the “good old days” in Volga when we knew absolutely everyone and even knew who would give out the “good stuff”. Ahhh, those were the days!
I have almost as much fun handing out candy as I did taking my kids around the neighborhood many years ago. Brings back lots of fun memories. And the little kids are always so cute in their costumes. Give it a shot Doug, you will have a good time. And it may keep your house from getting egged!
I just got done handing out the candy to lots of neighborhood kids. So fun! I love the “ittie-bitties” the best. the toddlers and pre-schoolers. Usually by 7:30 PM the little ones are done, taken home to bed. Then the middle-schoolers converge with minimal costumes, intent mostly on the loot. Yes, Doug, I too think you should try it next year–you’d love it and the kids would love you!
Doug, you could don a costume, decorate your home and become the favorite spot for lots of little ghosts and goblins. Remember, most monsters are adults – try the hunchback, a werewolf, a warlock or, better yet, invent your own. Work on your most maniacal laugh and jump out of the bushes at those middle school kids.
The places that had their lights on made lots of great memories for you, your kids and grandkids – now it is your turn to do the same for other grandpas and their tiny trick or treaters. As with everything, it is what you make of it.
I think of halloween as a time to go out and meet the neighbors. I view it as a community event. If you stay home you get to see all the little ones in your area, costumes and all! 🙂