Remember Halloween

Hello and welcome to the first Saturday in November here at the Wannaskan Almanac. Today is November 2nd.

Folks, we made it through Halloween without snow which is always a big win for the trick-or-treating scene. On Thursday night, the kids kicked off the race for sweets at the high school, zipping through the hallways and taking a quick spin through the student council's haunted house before taking to the streets through the in-town neighborhoods. Kids sprinted, swerving past the darkened homes to the ones with the porch lights lit, beckoning the costumed children like moths. Parents tagged along, slowly making their way in their vehicles, monitoring traffic as the kids happily zigzagged back and forth down the street.

I was impressed with their energy as swarms of kids made their way down the blocks. I thought for sure they would peter out to a walk, like bright stars burning out, but no, they kept the steady sprint-trot pace all the way to the Hampton Inn, where they ran out of houses and hopped into the car for the short jog over to Lake Street NW.

While warming up in the car, they chattered about their bounty and cracked open the greatest treasure yet - ketchup chips. When we started the next leg of trick-or-treating, I thought the cold and some whining would surely creep in. Instead, the kids checked the heftiness and durability of their trick-or-treat bags and hopped right back into the race.

It was on Lake Street NW that I noticed how happy I felt. The kids were deliriously happy. Dressed in their own costumes - a narwhal, bucks, and zombies - the grown-ups passing out candy were the deliverers of said happiness. Families carrying pumpkin babes and strolling bumble bee toddlers were the connective tissue of happiness. It was like a huge orb of happiness had engulfed our community with a gooey, sweet warmth of joy.

While I've never been a level 5, full-blown reveler of Halloween like some folks I know, this Halloween made me consider that Halloween just might be the best holiday of the year. It's the one time in the year when the community steps out and joins in on the mirth and goodwill towards men.

The last leg of our Halloween trick-or-treating expedition was in our own neighborhood outside of town. I've blogged before about Halloween in my neighborhood, but the sentiment is worth repeating - I have the best neighbors. Our neighbors know that the kids will come round and they've been faithfully supplying treats for almost 20 years. It's in our own neighborhood that the kids have a long tradition of feeling care and kindness from adults who don't have to love them because they're family. My neighborhood holds firm to the memories of the kind of trick-or-treating we did when we were kids. It's thanks to Halloween that I know all of my neighbors' names. Halloween has become our annual check-in and hello.

Next Tuesday is the election. Whatever the outcome, I believe our nation will be forever changed. And when that happens, I'll remember Halloween - that one night of the year when we don costumes, turn on the porch light, set out the candy, celebrate the kids, and care about each other no matter what.