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Halloween Thoughts

© Janice Oberding

Halloween is just around the corner. Grocery store aisles are piled with every type candy imaginable. All are bagged neatly with Halloween decorations, witches, ghosts and Frankenstein. Name your favorite fictional character. Chances are you can find him, or her, in a costume and mask. Plastic skeletons dangle in storefront windows all across the city. The sun is slipping away earlier than just a few short weeks ago. Shiver, there is a definite chill in the air. And oh, the frost is on the pumpkin. Yes, the ghost enthusiasts' favorite season is fast approaching.

As a non-ghosthunting friend once told me, "Halloween seems to be the one time of year that you ghosthunters can claim a bit of legitimacy." That may be true to some degree. Halloween and you'd better be ready for the onslaught of questions your friends and relatives always seem to toss your way this time of year. Okay, here's one to toss back. Why is it that Halloween is the only time of the year when many people even give ghosts and hauntings a second thought? Here's another. Where do you suppose is the best place for a new ghosthunter to find a ghost?

The answer will probably be 'in a cemetery.' It's okay. Non ghosthunters generally accept that old Hollywood theory of a ghost in every cemetery. Some might even decide that now is a good time to visit the local graveyard. But remember, cemeteries are not necessarily more haunted on Halloween. Unless you count the curious who only visit on this one night.

Many people believe that the spirits of the dead are closer to us on Halloween. However, as ghost enthusiasts, we realize that ghosts are with us the other 364 nights of the year as well. After all, Hollywood produces scary movies year round long and candy is available every day (just not in those neat little seasonal cellophane bags.)

For weeks, kids have been looking forward to Halloween as that night of Trick or Treating, but their parents are wary. It's sad, but true, today's parents must be more cautious than ever. Many only allow their children to go to the doors of friends and neighbors. And this is probably the best idea of all. Before allowing your children to dig into their bags of goodies, carefully check each and every item. If anything looks the least bit suspicious, or tampered with in any way, toss it out. If you find anything unsafe, notify authorities immediately. Have a Hauntingly Happy Halloween Season.