Gen X Saved Halloween!

I know I had my say on Halloween a few years back, but I just felt the urge to chime in again today. Central Iowa Trick-or-Treats on "Beggar's Night," which precedes Halloween by one day, so this morning my newsfeed was a scroll of adorable kids dressed like dragons and ninjas and Jedi.  Some of the boys had cool costumes, too! *wink* Seeing all these joyfully smiling faces (despite a miserably windy, 38 degree evening), I was just a little overwhelmed by the way we took Halloween back for this generation.

Do you remember when we were kids, and they were bringing X-ray machines to McDonald's so kids could get their candy checked? Do you remember how our parents were so afraid of neighborhood terrorism that they went through every single piece of our candy to make sure the wrapper was intact (and stole half our peanut butter cups while they were at it)? Do remember when home-baked goodies and apples quit showing up in our loot?

The mailbox-smashing, and the fire-setting, and the fear of the occult, coupled with some bizarre claims about razor-blades and pins - which I've since read were never substantiated - cloaked Halloween in a mantle of fear.

But last night, the porch lights were lit. The kids were bundled. We collectively went out into the neighborhood and we took candy from strangers.

All you good people did that. You who taught your kid a joke and reminded them to say "thank you." You who bundled up and braved the cold to keep them from crossing the street in front of cars. You who lit your porch light and laughed at terrible jokes. You who trusted your neighbors enough to put an entire bin of candy on your porch with a sign that said, "Please take 2." You, delightful soul, who gave out peanut butter cups.

My kids don't even realize Trick-or-Treat was once on the media-frenzied, fear-driven, safety-first chopping block. They don't even realize that the reason malls and churches started offering Trunk-or-Treat type events is because parents were once so afraid that their neighbors were trying to poison the children.

Well done, Generation X. There's not a whole lot we get credit for. But I think we can claim this victory. We took Halloween back. May we continue to be careful what we decide we need to be afraid of.

Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear. Job 11:15