More Tricks than Treats

More Tricks than Treats

I can remember when Halloween involved fun and games at a
school carnival. As my companions and I waited patiently for
October 31 to arrive, all we could talk about is who was going
to be GI Joe, a policeman or a fireman. If we listened
carefully, we might overhear the girls talking about dressing up
as a nurse or flight attendant.

I can remember when my fellow elementary school friends
would brag about their orange plastic jack-o-lantern placed
prominently on the table, just waiting to be filled with candy,
popcorn balls, and if we were lucky, maybe a few loose coins.

As the evening came to a close, my parents would drive my
brother and I to the local hospital to have our candy x-rayed,
even though our stomachs felt like a trip to the emergency room
was in order.

Today, many parents should visit the emergency room to have
their head's examined. Especially the parent's that have young
daughters in elementary school. When did Halloween become an
excuse to run a red light district for our children? Why are so
many retailers only offering skimpy and risqué costumes for
young girls? Is it because Hollywood and Halloween are now
joined at the hip? Or is it because sex sells?

It's time for the grownups to grow up, and become the adult.

I am fortunate to be friends with a co-worker who is the
single parent mother of a six (soon to be seven) year old
daughter. Last weekend, I had the pleasure to spend the weekend
with Supergirl in her costume, of course. When it was time for
lunch, I asked Sidney where she wanted to eat. I was expecting
the normal response of either McDonald's or Taco Cabana. I was
pleasantly surprised when my first grade friend asked if we
could eat at Souper Salad. I wondered why Souper Salad, and
asked her to explain. Her response was that in order to use her
super powers, she had to eat healthy and keep her strength up!

There were several other children eating lunch at the same
time, but I did not notice any super heroes. I was surrounded
by Paris Hilton and Britney Spears wanna-be's. It was enough to
make me literally loose my lunch.

However, before we left, the restaurant manager walked up
to us and complimented Sidney on her costume, and thanked her
for keeping the restaurant safe while she was there.
Sidney's Mom has done an excellent job raising her
daughter, and although I am not sure who picked out her costume,
I know that common sense prevails at her home.

What ever happened to the role models from my youth? My
fondest memory is dressing up for Halloween in black jeans, a
flannel shirt and a ten gallon hat that was at least two
gallons too big for me. I had my scarf around my neck and my
lariat in my hand.

What sort of memory will Sidney have about Halloween when
she is a parent? I'm not sure, because she has a few more years
of trick-or-treating to enjoy. I trust she will be able to use
her imagination and enjoy these childhood memories. Maybe next
year, she will pretend to be a doctor. And the year after that,
perhaps a veterinarian or a librarian.

Children do grow up too soon. It's should be the job of
parents everywhere to make every effort to choose age relevant
costumes for their kids. It's time to leave the gypsies, tramps
and thieves on the store shelf where they belong.