HALOWEEN

 The night arrived with fallen leaves and carved-out pumpkins glowing on porches across the town. Bowls of candy filled to the top awaited the doorbell to ring as trick-or-treaters put on their costumes, with moms snapping pictures to preserve the moment.

Like the starting gate at a horse race, the doors opened, and children emerged running to the first house and sweet treats. There were costumes of superheroes, good witches, pop stars, and the always popular Freddy himself.

The older kids, going on their last trick or treat, wore sunglasses and maybe a hat as they filled their pillow cases for the last time. Little girls in princess costumes struggled to keep up with the older kids, sometimes falling and watching as their candy scattered across someone's lawn. But Spider-Man came to the rescue, helping her gather her treats and disappearing into the night.

Parents holding flashlights stood watch from the street, keeping tabs on their little ghosts and goblins. They reminded them every so often to wait until they got back home so the candy could be inspected for poison apples — a joke back then, but not so much now.

As the night wound down, just a handful of kids remained on the streets while most sat on the floor with Mom, checking their bounty as pumpkin candles burned out and melted wax flowed from the mouth and eyes, a final tribute until next year.

Now the porch lights are turned off, the curtains are closed, and sleep tries to come for sugar-overloaded children. Moms and dads pick out their favorites, stashing some away for tomorrow with a promise never to tell the kids it was their Daddy who dressed as Spider-Man, always nearby to help a princess whose candy had scattered across someone's lawn.

                                           HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Mike 2025