Key Takeaways:
– Halloween was a special season for Jody and Jamie in their early years in Severance, Colorado.
– The thrill of selecting costumes and carving pumpkins were some of the highlights.
– The boys loved visiting senior citizens houses in Severance that made special treats for them.
– Driving from Severance to Windsor was part of the tradition, venturing to where they attended school for more trick-or-treating.
– The most memorable moments were the rows of twinkling porch lights and the crunch of fallen leaves.
– One particular memory includes their kindergarten teacher dressed as a witch and handing out treats.
– Jody and Jamie delighted in perusing their treat bags, savoring their candies for days.
Celebrating Halloween in Childhood
Growing up, Halloween, with its promise of trick or treat nights and delightful costumes, was always an eagerly anticipated occasion. The traditions surrounding this enchanting celebration etched lifelong memories, especially in the rural ranching community of Severance, Colorado, where Jody and Jamie grew up.
Countdown to Halloween
The spirit of Halloween was palpable in Severance as early as the shops began displaying their Halloween wares. This signaled to the young ones, Jody and Jamie, that the much-awaited holiday was creeping closer. Intriguing masks and appealing costumes caught their attention, setting their imaginations on an adventurous journey of who they would embody come Halloween. The boys’ enthusiasm also overflowed towards home-grown pumpkins, inspiring them to carve innovative designs and illuminate them with lights.
Festivities and Parades
As the much-anticipated day approached, the boys donned their costumes. The highlight, beyond doubt, was the school’s Halloween-themed parade and party. It offered an exceptional platform for the young revelers to flaunt their costumes and soak in the boisterous Halloween spirit.
Trick-or-Treating Trail
The real adventure began at dusk when they set out on their trick-or-treating journey within Severance. The boys were particularly fond of visiting the homes of several senior citizens who resided in the area. These warm-hearted elders gave out custom-made treats, with delicacies ranging from caramel apples to handmade cookies and popcorn balls. With their treat bags filled to the brim, the boys preserved their conquests to savor over the days.
Extending the Exhilaration
Once they had exhausted their rounds within the town, it was time to hit the road towards Windsor, just a few miles away. Their Halloween adventure extended to the neighborhood where they attended school. Walking through rows of lit porches with the crunching leaves underneath, the brothers continued their merry door-to-door trick or treating expedition.
A Teacher’s Halloween Surprise
One unforgettable encounter was with their kindergarten teacher who, clad in a witch’s costume, handed out Halloween goodies. Unmasking her face to reassure the young trick-or-treaters, she brought a surprised smile to her pupils’ faces, especially Jamie.
Candy Unwrapping Ritual
One of the family’s endearing traditions was the candy unwrapping ritual. The boys relished the process just as much as they did eating the candies. They would meticulously take out each treat, inspect it, and then gingerly tuck it back in to savor later. Their father, Lyle, would join the ritual after returning from work, making it a wholesome family tradition.
Assuaging the Changes
Through all these changes, the essence of Halloween in Severance finds its echo in the echoing laughter and joyful treats of Jody and Jamie’s boyhood. While the influx of activity in Craig has seen trick-or-treaters dwindling in Pipi’s Pasture, the memories of these special Halloween celebrations are nostalgically treasured. Thirty one nights in October, replete with festivities, create memories that continue to delight, years after the candles in the pumpkins have flickered out.