halloween reflections, savoring moments

Marty, It was fun to read your reflections on Mom giving away candy on Halloween and to see that you said it was her favorite holiday. I've always said it was my favorite holiday and I would also call Mom that night, although not every year. I guess I don't remember her saying that, but I'm glad she did. We would agree on the fact that it was a wonderful thing. It was so exciting to be a kid and come up with a costume idea and then get Mom to help make it and then run around at night getting candy. It was magical. I especially remember your mummy costume where she wrapped you in ripped sheet strips and they would come undone. But it was a good costume. We had a great Halloween last night and I had my best display ever: A life-sized dummy that Matthew made which had a scary full-head mask on it, jack-o-lanterns, blinking eyes in the bushes, a skull that lights up and laughs with a moving mouth, a dismembered hand that moves around in the candy cauldron and my friend and I dressed like witches. Also, Steve had a PA set up playing the wonderful symphonic music from the old movie The Day the Earth Stood Still. The adults were effusive about it being a great thing to do. Some of them said their little kid had just gotten brave enough this year to come to my door. And I could see a couple little kids still standing on the street with a parent, not coming up. It was a great night. My own kids were having a party at Matthew's apartment. I called them both earlier in the day and Matthew was spending the day at Salem where, of course, they really put on a great show all over town.