Our Halloween night started off simply. I put out this display as we would be out trick or treating and unable to hand items out personally.
A simple design. Pumpkin note re-purposed from a preschool project. The Angry Birds pig pumpkin handed down by my sister (it was part of a work pumpkin display contest), and a bowl full of stickers and temporary tattoos. Not a fancy display, but a minimalist one. And free. You can't go wrong with free.
Display out, my sister helped wrangle the minions into their costumes and off we went in the Chariot.
A stop at Grandma's house to pick up a wagon, then the trick or treating was on. For once I was prepared and made some small fliers and signs to let neighbors know about our trick or treating for charity.
Thankfully most houses were surprised, but helpful. One such neighbor was in such a helpful spirit he even tried to pick me up by offering me a beer. I declined his generous offer, but accepted a can of green chiles instead. On we rolled through the "rich" neighborhood (our old community borders half million+ custom homes). A wagon full of canned goods. Two exuberant toddlers. A tired aunt/sister. And one proud mommi.
The happiness continued to exude through every step until we reached the front door. Something looked off. What was missing? Chair? Check. Sign? Check. Bowl, now mostly empty? Check. Piggy pumpkin? PIGGY PUMPKIN?!
And we had been the targets of another Halloween Grinch. Was it a mad child or parent getting payback for a lack of candy? Was it a foolish teenager giving in to peer pressure? Was it a goblin or ghost or black cat?
We may never know the answer of such a mystery. All I do know is that a certain three year old is crushed. At three, he had to learn what being violated feels like. "Why mean man take piggy pumpkin? Aunt Katie/Mommi/Grandma, you go get pumpkin back! Why there mean people? I'm so sad. I miss piggy pumpkin." His heart was broken. I could not understand more. It's not that an item is missing. It's the fact that someone felt the need to steal it.
Maybe we got what was coming to us for my Grinchy ways. Maybe some family really needed that mini pumpkin for nourishment. Maybe there are just some super-douchey people out there. Whatever the case may be, I now have a son with a vendetta. 38 cans for the food bank, a few pieces of allergen-free goodies, and a faceless enemy.
Will this setback deter us next year? Will the awkwardness of trying to explain our charitable intentions keep us home bound? At the moment, my heart is torn. I'm overwhelmed by the willing participation of the neighbors, but hurt by the thievery. There are 365 days to figure this out and let this fresh wound heal. Tonight, I start healing with some confiscated candy.
How was your Halloween? Did you do an alternative trick or treating method? Were there any shenanigans at your house?
P.S. Does anyone else think candy is not as good as we remember it to be as a child? Now that I'm back on dairy and making up for five years of no candy, I'm finding that the taste is bland. Am I alone in this?
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Stay tuned for tomorrow's post--November's Challenge Du Mois!
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