Hi, my friends.  As October 31st rolls around again, I automatically start thinking about the past.  It was so much fun in days gone by to help the kids dress up for Trick or Treat and then accompany them around the neighborhood for their night of free candy!  I've heard pros and cons about allowing children to participate in this event, but here's my take on the subject.

Growing up in a small rural area, we never "celebrated" this event, we just enjoyed the benefits of a night when we could go door to door and our neighbors would fill our bags or pillowcases with various candy items.  It was a joy to come home and reap the harvest after walking great distances to cover all the houses in our area.  I was never informed of a pagan belief that led to this night or told anything negative.  We didn't dress as ghosts, witches, or zombies....in fact, I continually dressed as a hobo because that outfit was easily and quickly obtained in my dad's wardrobe courtesy of his flannel shirts and jeans that were a mile too big on me!

When I had children, my husband had the same mindset concerning Halloween and we allowed our children to also get dressed up in a costume that often I would have personally made and go from door to door in our neighborhood until they could walk no longer.  They would come home and empty their containers in the middle of the family room floor and begin to make piles of the same types of candy.  Often they would make "trades" in order to gain more of their favorites and if Gary and I were lucky we would be given a few samples!

As Gary and I took turns walking with the kids throughout the neighborhood, we would always find other moms and dads to make the annual journey with us.  Great memories were made as we walked and talked about the weather, our kids and life in general.  In fact, I don't know another time when I saw and visited with so many neighbors and had so much fun!  So, I hope whatever you decide to do with your children tonight whether it be actual Trick or Treating, a Harvest Party, a private in-home gathering, or just sitting at home giving out candy to little ones who ring your doorbell.....make some memories or pull out the photo albums and bring some memories back to mind!  God bless!