OUR COVID HALLOWEEN

    I have spent the better part of two decades pondering lessons life has thrown my way. I walked away from some things a stronger, more refined individual. Like that one time I bought cauliflower crackers online for some guilt-free snacking. I will NEVER make that mistake again. I abandoned them in the pantry and giggled each time family members crunched into their first bites. They were excited to try something new, but were left with the desire to scrape their tongues with the nearest scrub brush, even if it meant the toilet-bowl brush. I promise, those crackers were bad.

    However, I have learned to perfect one thing over the years: over-thinking. I can over-think just about anything you throw my way. Heck, I can over-think even the smallest choices from the scented bar soaps I peruse on-line to which size noodle to cook with the jarred marinara sauce I took out for dinner. 

Then, out of the blue, comes a freakin' world-wide pandemic. Seriously? I am going to take a guess and assume the pandemic alone has produced more over-thinkers in 2020 than have ever existed in the universe prior. We over-thinkers have been faced with choices we never thought could be over-thunk. We've worried about how long to quarantine the groceries and whether or not the virus can be transmitted under the front door as the blatantly unconcerned solicitor knocks as if social distancing were already a thing of the past.

    One specific topic that has me biting my nails and losing sleep is Halloween. For many, it might be a non-topic. In instance, if you don't have young children in your home or community, have chosen to boycott for religious reasons or hold a fear of eating all the candy before the doorbell even rings at dusk. But, for those of us who do have an interest in the holiday - or little beings who depend on this day for their annual stockpile of candy - I can assume I am not alone in the land of lost sleep the month of October. 

    Our family, that is myself, my husband, and our three children, will be taking a road trip the day after Halloween. The decision to go did not come lightly. A very dear friend of ours is getting married. With her wedding fast approaching, we have elected to attend - with children in tow. As her wedding is in the same hometown as the majority of our family (mostly elders), it quickly became known we would be in town. Invites ensued and our longing hearts to see our loved ones' faces won the battle over responsibly distancing three states away, as we have safely done for eight months now.

    We will be staying for one full week in the lovely new home of my gently aging parents, both of whom fit the "prime candidate" category for COVID-19. In addition, my husband's family, our beloved aunts, uncles and more, have requested to see the cherub faces of our offspring. As many have said, "Life must go on." I am reluctantly agreeing, but not without critical thought, over-analysis, and consultations with every random person's path I cross. I stayed at a six foot distance of course, as I questioned the poor check out guy at Trader Joe's yesterday. My biggest concern lies not in contracting the virus, as much as spreading it to the most vulnerable, i.e. everyone we will be visiting next week.

    Needless to say, the kids have won. They will be trick or treating this year of 2020. I have, however, required a few changes. They were reluctant once they heard my demands, but finally surrendered due to promise of "extra" candy, which yours truly will be supplying.

    We have decided to start our festivities around noon this Halloween. Thankfully, it falls on a Saturday. Since half the world seems to be schooling from home this year - including us - any day of the week would have sufficed, though. Costumes have been ordered, face paintings are being perfected, and cameras will be charged. Once we are all decked out, a family photo shoot will commence at the Most Amazing Halloween House our community has to offer. Following our playful snapshots, we will strategically trick or treat, street by street, beginning at 4 p.m. to each of the homes that will graciously leave candy outside early and the homes I will bribe with cookies or a "name your price" kind of deal.

    I have expressed to each of our three children - ages 6, 7 and 9 - that we are to be home and in the tub no later than 6 p.m. This is when the remainder of the 100-plus children in our neighborhood will be commencing with the annual Halloween Parade. This parade has brought great joy and memories to our family in years past, as will future ones. Following a scrub down, similar to the rigorous bath my groceries received at the start of the pandemic, we will toss some pizzas in the oven as my nine-year-old sets the stage for what she has termed her "best pot of popcorn yet." The five of us will then settle in with a double feature Halloween spectacular - in stereo.

    While the parade does not march by our doors, we will be greeted with a plethora of visitors in our cul-de-sac. As you see, the Most Amazing Halloween House just so happens to be our neighbors'. And as social creatures, our family is sorely saddened with the simple idea of not joining in on the street party this year. It was a hard choice to make, maybe even a heavy cross to carry. But, at the end of the day, I would prefer to tweak our traditions for one year, than to take any unnecessary risks.

                       

To you and yours, cheers and Happy Halloween. 

     So, tell me, how will you be celebrating your 2020 Halloween?