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Halloween has never been my favorite holiday. Growing up all
the neighbor kids were
dressed in ghoulish costumes while I had to be a fairy
princess or ballet dancer with
a small black or white mask which barely covered my face. My
brother Bill was a cowboy
or some such character. Everyone knew who we were. But my
mother just couldn't bring
herself to make us look scary she often explained.
Marriage and 4 children and living in a small town where
everyone loved Halloween I had
to change my attitude somewhat. I found myself making
costumes of all kinds, "This Old
House," - an idea from a Rosemary Clooney song - a Robot,
the Headless Horseman and yes, some pretty ones too, such as
the Statue of Liberty for my daughter. And, I wasn't really
a Halloween scrooge- I prepared every year to have enough
treats ready when the door
bell rang and I found smiling faces under masks and hands
outstretched and the sound of
Trick or Treat echoing through the air.
Many years have gone by and the area where we now live we
have few Trick-or-Treaters.
But last year as we were visiting with some friends after
dinner a few days before the
October holiday we had a most unusual Halloween visitor. I
was once again taught a
beautiful lesson by a child on my most disliked holiday.
We saw headlights pull into the driveway. Comments were
made, wondering why the door bell had not rung so I quietly
eased over to the front door and slowing opened the door
just
enough to hear voices from a car giving instructions which
were not being heeded.
" Anthony, set the paper and the plate by the door, ring the
door bell and run!" "HURRY,
OR THEY WILL SEE YOU! ". It was easy to see and hear the
older sister getting frustrated
when the Halloween surprise was not going the way it was
planned.
As I stood listening at the door, I heard the little boy's
voice very adamantly state,
"No, please, I just want to see their happy faces."
I summoned my husband and friends to come over closer as I
quickly jerked the door open.
Although somewhat startled the 5 year old boy maintained his
big smile which we often
describe as "from ear to ear " proudly holding a one layer
beautifully decorated
chocolate cake. And though barely audible we heard "Trick or
Treat". With the cake
he had a picture of a ghost instructing us to do a good deed
for someone for Halloween.
Needless to say he saw big smiles from 4 happy adults. After
he and his sister drove
away the rest of our evening was spent discussing the joy he
had brought to us. He
reminded each of us that doing a good turn created happiness
even on a so-called scary
holiday. The look on his face was reminiscent to me once
again that real joy comes from
"Giving." But as the receivers, we will be full of Joy each
time we think of young
Anthony Webster.
?© 2003 by Dorothy Casper -
cas4u @ infowest.com
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Dorothy has often commented that "Life is wonderful in spite
of it's many trials. Each
person we meet teaches us wonderful lessons. I can
hardly wait to see what I will learn
from one day to another and who my wonderful teacher might
be."
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May you be blessed today.
Bob Johnston
Editor / Publisher
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