Tonight was the first of two adventures. It started out with my feeling apprehensive about the fact that I did not decorate my car while everyone else did. Several did a really amazing job of showing that Halloween feeling. While I sat there, with a naked table and vehicle. But I was in costume.
I chose to dress in camouflage. First, because I had everything I needed but the face covering. I remembered that my brother had one so I called my sister-in-law to see if she still had it. Her grandson did, and he happily let me borrow it. Two, my camo was of a size and design, that I could layer well for the cooler temperatures.
Even in costume, I felt as if I had let the kids down.The couple setting up on the left of me went all out. Their table and suv brought Charlie Brown’s Great Pumpkin to life. Complete with the pumpkin patch, ghosts and snoopy and his doghouse. The family on the right of me, went all Chic-fil-a. Their drive through for candy a really big hit even without nuggets of coupons. I muttered a comment about my vehicle was ultimate minimalism. To another, I said my vehicle was so well camouflaged you couldn’t see the decorations. I was told not to worry, I was told I was fine, still that little, annoying, voice kept whispering and I felt bad. I could not shake that feeling of having let the kids down.
I was wrong. I’m glad I was wrong. I really should have known better. I forgot, I was dealing with kids and candy. Still, I was not expecting what happened.
We had taken all the precautions we could. Those giving out candy had to wear a mask and gloves. A table was put between the vehicle and the kids. The vehicles were parked so there was an empty space on either side. We were ready.When the first kids came down the line, yes they noticed Snoopy and cheered the Chic-fil-a cow, but it was my costume that caught their attention. I was asked if I were hunting deer, I said no, I was hunting for trunk or treaters to give candy. I was called a walking tree several times. The funniest actions,, and the ones that happened most often were those who acted as if my costume left me invisible. Several of the slightly older kids asked how the candy was floating in the air and to their bags all on its own. Several walked up and looked around, asking heir kids if they could see who was giving out the candy because they couldn’t. Within moments, every last bit of my concern was swept away by the pure, joy and laughter of the kids, their family, and the evening.
I loved watching the families who dressed similarly. I was a little surprised that the costume I saw the most was The Scream, mixed in with minion, police, princesses and everything from a to b. Each one politely requesting their candy and walking away with a thank you.
And that full moon? Was incredible. I’m tired, but so very happy. The kids, while they enjoyed the decorated vehicles, didn’t care that mine wasn’t. There was no judgement in those young ones, only a quest for candy and adults telling them they love their costume. I can barely wait for tomorrow and doing it all over again. And yes, I will wear the noseeum costume yet again.
Words from The Dirt Road 