I love it myself.

Halloween, on the other hand, is something I’ve always loved, although my crippling fear of masks has always made it rather difficult to enjoy myself thoroughly. It’s incredibly depressing to me that Halloween is such a brief, regulated thing now. I remember the weeks, if not months, of anticipation, the well thought-out costumes, being forced to eat broccoli-cheddar soup before going out because my parents knew that it would be the last decent meal I’d have for the next week, and finally the big pay-off. Now there are all sorts of curfews (in a lot of towns, trick-or-treaters are strongly encouraged to be home by dusk. Our official hours are 4-6, but luckily not many people respect those rules in our town), and most kids either get their candy taken away that night, or they’re given one piece after dinner for a week or so before the rest is thrown away. I know for a fact that my nephews will never see their candy again after November 1st. What’s the point of Halloween if you’re not cranky and sugar-shocked until halfway through November?

Ah well. It’s none of my business. I’ll be enjoying my Halloween at home, in costume, handing out (and eating) candy and watching movies with my family while trying not to think about my poor, deprived nephews. Happy Halloween, even if you decide to limit your son’s sugar intake.