Key Takeaways:
– The joys of Halloween, both as a child and as a parent, are cherished memories.
– The anticipation of selecting costumes and carving pumpkins made October an exciting month.
– Events like school costume parades and parties added to the Halloween fun.
– The special treats made by senior citizens in Severance, Colorado are remembered fondly.
– Despite modern changes to Halloween celebrations, the memories of past celebrations remain a treasure.
Halloween has always held a special charm. As a child, I eagerly awaited this holiday when I could join the neighborhood trick or treating. It took on an added delight when I got to share this tradition with my two sons, Jody and Jamie. The role reversed from excited participant to proud enabler, fostering their young imaginations in the rural ranching landscape of Severance, Colorado.
Childhood Reveries and Costumed Adventures
My boys’ journey towards Halloween began as soon as local stores overfilled their shelves with candy, costumes, and ghoulish decorations. Hours spent debating costume choices often culminated in selecting ones that aligned with their favorite mask. Sometimes, a surge of creativity led us to craft homemade costumes, spinning tales of their characters and creating memories along the way.
Pumpkin Carvings and School Festivities
We had a tradition of growing our own pumpkins, some gigantic, perfect for carving. The boys would shape them into eerie or comical faces and set them out alight, adding to the atmospheric build-up to Halloween. The schools also added to this excitement by organizing costume parades and parties leading up to the big day.
From Homemade Treats to Walking Trails
In the heart of Severance, we had a group of senior citizens who found joy in spoiling the boys with home-baked treats. The image of Jody and Jamie strolling from house to house, gathering caramel apples, cookies, and popcorn balls in their bags, is one that remains etched in my mind.
Once we had made our round in our own quaint town, we would take a short drive to Windsor. Here, they’d rush from door to door, and I, a shadow following them en route, enjoyed the sight of porch-lit houses and the satisfying crunch of fall leaves under our shoes.
Surprises and Sweet Delights
On one particular year, we were pleasantly surprised when a lady, masked and dressed as a witch, turned out to be Jamie’s kindergarten teacher. Not just the trick-or-treating, the boys found just as much satisfaction in rummaging through their bags later at home. Those evenings ended with them sharing their day’s adventures and treats with their father, savoring the sweetness of the day into the night.
A Nostalgic Journey to Halloween Past
Halloween then seems different from how it is today. Now, in today’s fast-paced world of Craig, children seeking treats are a rare sight at Pipi’s Pasture. Yet, the memories of past Halloweens, filled with family fun, shared laughter, and the community’s warmth, continue to bring a smile. The echoes of shared laughter, the light from the carved pumpkins, and the kindness of our local community still light up the pathways of our memory lanes every Halloween.