A storoem about when my 2-year-old daughter goes T or t-ing. |
It is 31 October 1970 – early evening. My darling daughter Ginny, 28 months of age, is none too certain about being out trick or treating. I figure going once around our apartment complex should do the trick. All the monsters walking about has Ginny reluctant to stay out. Often you forget such little kids accept without doubt the witches, ghosts, Frankensteins that they see are real, which makes Halloween truly scary. We join two neighbors, each herding two or three children aged 3 or 4. Ginny lags behind, very unsure of what’s going on. At the first door, Ginny is at the back of the pack, waiting her turn. Say “Trick or treat” I prompt once more. Silent, she holds her bag. The neighbor with fervor drops a handful of candy inside. Ginny’s eyes grow wide, first a look of incredulity, then a smile. As the small band of beggars advances, Ginny tries now to maneuver to the front. In a short while the lady appears with a bowl of candy. Ginny shouts “Treat!” The first one to receive her loot, she steps aside … then hurries on to the next door. She’s about a foot too short to ring the doorbell without help, so she beats on the door with her hand. “Let’s wait for the others.” She beats harder. The door opens. Then, the bowl extended, “Help yourself, dear.” I say too late, “Just take one.” as Ginny grabs a double handful. When asked “What’s your costume tonight?” “She’s a little princess … type casting,” I answer for her. “Say thank you.” With a “Tanks,” she’s off, having no more time to twiddle. There’s candy to be had! At the next door stand a few older kids wearing really bloody, gruesome monster outfits. Ginny hurries to the door and nudges them aside to a place in front. So much for scary monsters! Here Ginny gets a real treat – a gigantic Hershey’s chocolate bar. Her face lights up like she’s struck gold. All the rest of the night she refuses to relinquish her grip on that bar. Understand, this bar would be heavy for me. Finally home, tired, right to bed. Later, I check on her … and pry the bar from her hand. Please check out my ten books: http://www.amazon.com/Jr.-Harry-E.-Gilleland/e/B004SVLY02/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0 |