We typically don’t get too many Halloween trick-or-treaters on a given year– maybe 25 or 30, and the ones we do mostly come from the city to take advantage of our oh-so-much safer neighborhood. I love these kids: they are full of bright energy and loaded with friendliness and exuberant thank-you’s.
This year most of the kids came in bunches, except for this one little guy who rang our doorbell and stood in the doorway all by himself. He looked to be about 8 or so and in a very serious tone he announced “Trick or Treat.” I took a couple candy bars and plopped them into his plastic pumpkin basket. Quite deliberately he said “Thank you.” Then I said, “I really like your costume.” (I’m not really even sure what he was dressed as and I don’t say this to many kids. There was just something about this kid that was special.) With just a hint of smile breaking through his stoicism, he said, “Thank you for the compliment.” I was bowled over and in my delight I burst out with, “Thank you for coming!” At that I heard a little chuckle that came from his father who was lurking in the shadows.
madmuser 