This Thursday children from outlying areas will join our neighborhood kids to walk the streets of Eastgate, dressed in all manner of attire from cute to creepy. Traditionally, more than 300 children trick-or-treat in our neighborhood. Parents from more rural areas drive their children here, as our neighbors have always welcomed all children, regardless of where they lived.
Starting about 20 years ago, law enforcement blocks automobile access to our neighborhood once trick-or-treating began. The idea was not to keep people out but to keep everyone safe. Given our troubling times, this assistance is doubly welcome.
I always look forward to seeing my children from Brookhaven Elementary. Some children know where I live and look forward to visiting my driveway to show me their costumes. Others are totally surprised by my presence. Each year I could count on some child screaming to his parents. "Look! It's my library teacher!" I can still remember the look on the face of the little boy who said, "I know you! You're the Book Fairy!"
Things have changed since I first participated in Eastgate's Halloween celebration 33 years ago. When my children were very little in the late 80s, my husband or I would walk around the neighborhood with our kids while the other stayed home to give out treats. Once the kids were eight or nine, they could trick-or-treat with their friends. It was that kind of neighborhood where everyone looked after everyone else. It still is.
Once my kids were older I started looking forward to seeing my schoolkids come by in their costumes. Some are shy, but some will boldly run down the driveway to give me a hug. I always worried about running out of candy before I had seen all my kids.
Of course, we always had visits from teenagers not ready to abandon this childhood ritual. Strangely, they never seemed to be the children who went through our school or lived in our neighborhood. I never questioned their presence but treated them as I did any of the little kids. There were a few, though, that left me speechless.
The first person was a sixteen-year-old girl that lived in our neighborhood. I didn't know her, but I had seen her around. She approached me and said the obligatory "Trick or treat!" I gave her a few pieces of candy. Then she held out another pillowcase and explained, "This is for my mother." Okay.
I did not know the second young lady, but she too had two bags, one for herself and one for her unborn baby. Seriously?
Now I am no longer the library teacher or the Book Fairy, but I still look forward to seeing the children have fun running amok. We don't see as many in the older sections of our neighborhood as we once did. Parents tend to gravitate to the newer sections of our neighborhood, which is where the majority of our children now live. Not too many of my immediate neighbors hand out candy anymore. I will buy the candy, and if I don't see as many children, it will be more for those who do!
Conditions of an average life in an above average neighborhood.
