Halloween Memories: My Last Trick 'r Treat

     Recently, Justine from Justine's Halloween asked me to share one of my favorite Halloween memories, and I promised that I would. Thank you Justine for asking, and for giving me a wonderful idea—I would like to collect Halloween and Halloween related memories. (Halloween related memories might be a visit to a haunted attraction during the off-season or a spooky memory at any time of the year). Not just mine, people I've interviewed, or those in the Halloween and haunted attraction industry; I want to collect memories from anyone that is willing to share. So if you have a memory, or several memories for that matter, you would like to share and that you fancy seeing published on a blog, won't you share it with us? Also, feel free to include pictures with your story. I would be glad to post it here, as written, or even re-write it into a small story for you. If you are so inclined, email me at Hallowdean@gmail.com and let's start this collection together.

     Each of your memories will be spotlighted as a post unto itself, to be discovered and enjoyed by lovers of this special season. You'll also have the opportunity for free promotion of your business, home haunt, blog, etc. What better way to share the spirit of Halloween? 

My Last Trick 'r Treat

Trick or Treat by Rado Javor

     I wish I had a very young childhood memory of trick 'r treating, perhaps one from the age of eight or earlier, which some hold on to and recall vividly when asked about Halloween. During my childhood, in my area of the Bible-belt, Halloween was never celebrated as particularly special. We even had children in school whose parents refused to let them celebrate "the wicked pagan festival." 

     Halloween was just a time for children to dress up, beg for candy, and go back home to swim through their sugary treasure hoards. Adults rarely dressed up, threw parties, or decorated their homes. Oh sure, many carved out some jack-o'-lanterns and hung a few cobwebs—and if you were lucky—someone would play a spooky cassette tape near their door. Maybe that's why my trick 'r treating memories run together, all except the last time I joined in.

     I must have been eleven or twelve, so I was one of the biggest kids out that year. There were a few teenagers who were up to no good, but some of us were still adhering to the ritual with excitement and...perhaps melancholy. My parents never warned me that I was getting too old, I simply knew that this year was my last year for trick 'r treating. 

     I was standing on the corner of the subdivision, and it was a huge subdivision at that—with so many blocks to explore that one barely had time to visit two to three streets. The leaves were heavy on the ground—as they tend to be in Tennessee during that time of year—the chill was light, and the sounds were so...happy. As I stood there with my bag in my hand, dressed as a pale-faced vampire (my favorite Halloween character), the children ran by me—laughing and screaming; and for the first time, I felt like a guardian more than a participant. The younger children smiled at me and the teenagers avoided me, or at least I imagined they did. 

     I came to the realization that the end to trick 'r treating was simply a transition—into a bigger Halloween adventure. As I walked up and down the streets, alone, collecting my candy—the world was perfect. In my mind, the adults seemed aware of my euphoria and they wore special smiles, just for me, as I was showered with treats. It was as if they were bidding me farewell, and I welcomed their adieus with an outstretched container—a container now consigned to hold more than just sweets.

     The following year, decorating our home and visiting local charity haunts became the start of the new adventure. Like any worthwhile adventure,it continues to grow, and you, my readers and guests, have become a special part of the adventure with me.  

     A warm thank you to Gabriel, Countess VonRauber, and Halloweenman666 for being my newest followers.

Trick or Treat © 2012 Rajo Javor