First of all, the guilt release after allowing our youngest to consume the confections he brought home. Not all at once mind you, even now there's more to go than already consumed. Just that it might not have been the risk we may have been led to believe (except for the dental issues). Turns out that through statistical analysis there might be merit for claiming Halloween: The Safest Day of the Year.
The second I almost missed toward the end of the article. Its a little more subtle. The author states that "...trick-or-treating is building the very thing that keeps us safe: community." If this had been a typical year where we simply responded to the doorbell's ringing at random intervals, I wouldn't have thought this applied to us. With a combination of grown kids and those old enough to be tour with friends and their parents, it would be easy to isolate ourselves from the day's tradition. Instead, this year we choose to put ourselves directly in the middle of it. We created a new front porch at the end of our driveway, as shown below.
This purposeful setup allowed us the opportunity to connect with the adults who typically stay at the curb. The flags, fall produce and heart carved pumpkin all provided conversation points. Keeping a safe distance for the little ones, the fire pit proved very popular as the evening turned out to be fairly chilly and people would linger a while to warm up. Closer to tradition, we did give out "goodie bags" my wife assembled of nominal value with candy, school supplies and novelty million dollar bills.
It seemed to be a good combination of purely social and outreach elements. We talked to people who lived only blocks away, but yet we haven't talked to in years. There was catching up on kids, jobs and the small things that when combined, weave the fabric of life. We also met new neighbors that similarly hadn't found or made an opportunity for expanding their neighborhood connections. A truly unexpected event was when a tractor pulled hayride pulled into our village and most of the riders jumped off to visit.
So while it might not bring back a 1950's front porch atmosphere year round, it did provide a re-union of sorts among neighbors that have drifted into benign neglect. We have a great neighborhood with all the superlatives you'd hope for in suburban America or most anywhere. However, that sense of connection can't help but further increase the sense of community in our neighborhood.
Besides, we enjoyed it and are already thinking of how to create the same experience again. Hmmm, BBQ....?
