Sometimes the air was cool and smelled of autumn leaves and chimney smoke. But many times it was still warm and humid with sweat dripping down my back, causing my costume to stick to my salty skin.
It did not matter though, I made the laps around the blocks, pretending to be whichever persona my mom and I came up with that year. I spoke so many “Trick or Treat”s and “Thank You”s, over and over and over again.
A few houses had people at the door ready to jump out and scary music playing in the background, maybe pretend smoke billowing from some machine. Others had sweet older ladies at the door with quiet and softly lit Jack-O-Lanterns glowing in the night and bowls overflowing with mini Snickers and Tootsie Roll pops.
There was the one house that I was hesitant to walk up to every year, the yard full of R.I.P., the trees swinging with ghosts and goblins. I was brave though since I knew the payoff would be worth it. I made my way down the creepy sidewalk, lined with spider webs, under my mother’s watchful eye.
At home I would pour out my loot on the green shag carpet and separate it into piles. Chocolate, hard candy, gum, lollipops and “miscellaneous”. I would frown at the boxes of raisins or little bags of peanuts.
After delighting in the yummy-ness of it all I would scarf down a couple of pieces of chocolate before Mom would say it was time to get ready for bed. Any make-up was washed off of my face and my hair brushed, as well as teeth. Then past my bedtime, I would settle under the covers, my mind racing with those pretend ghoulish creatures, my belly full of sugar…
I know I went trick or treating as a kid, but I don’t have any specific memories. Isn’t that weird?
What awesome memories! Hope your kids have similar fun times 🙂
Beautiful words and beautiful picture. 🙂 I totally did the same sorting. We had a group “chip” bag for everyone but our candy was our own (and probably my parents’ too).
Beautiful! It was my daughter’s first year trick-or-treating and I hope that when she’s an adult all of her memories are as fond as yours. 🙂
I love that picture. Really, really great shot.
That’s such a great picture! Halloween is one more night of complete mayhem in our always-chaotic house. 🙂 Whose idea was this, anyway? LOL
Wonderful memories. I have great Halloween trick or treating memories as well 🙂
What wonderful memories, beautifully shared. I remember trick or treating as a kid and loved it. But, most of my neighborhoods were filled with kids. It seems to be less and less with each passing year now. But, I still take my kidlets out and they have a good time too! :>
Those are great memories! I have only a few select memories. One of a Strawberry Shortcake costume made from plastic and the other wearing a thrift store prom dress so I could be a “princess” OH! And dressing my brother up as a girl…that was priceless. I even painted his nails. 😀
Great memories! Halloween really is so wonderful as a kid.
Ahhhhh, Halloween. Ya gotta love it. 🙂
Great post! 🙂
Love it! Halloween is such a sensual holiday, you know? The smells, the feels of the costumes, the tastes of the candy. Great job conveying that!
What wonderful memories! Halloween sure is better as a kid. 😉
Oh you brought me back. This is what it was like for me too. And then the picture! We get to watch our kids revel in it now too and it’s so great.