Maybe some of you have heard this story before. However, I will tell it again and again. It's a strange thing to have had such a revelation at the ripe old age of 12.
That's when we moved. Our family moved from a small town to a wee bit bigger town. And, as you know, 12 is a bad age. Sixth grade, I believe in a bigger school. In fact I think my class grew eight times the size it was previously.
Of course, it was exciting. Our new house was huge. The town had lots of things to offer - shopping, bowling alley, swimming pool... lots of wonderful things.
New classmates - boys and girls - it was something to get used to for sure. So, the very first year, two girls asked me to go trick-and-treating with them. I thought, "WOW, that's cool for sure." I had only been in town for a few months, in school for only two and I had no clue about how devious people could be. We agreed to met on the corner by the park - right across from the school. They were waiting for me. Of course, rather than go out and have a good time, they said, "We changed our minds. We are going without you."
There I was, on the corner by myself. I had a decision to make. I thought to myself "I could go home... or I could go trick-or-treating." So I decided I didn't need those girls. I didn't need anyone - I was perfectly capable of going places by myself. So I went door to door by myself. People would come to the door with handfuls of candy. Naturally, they questioned why I was all alone. I just smiled.... and then feeling a bit sorry for me, I think... they threw in all the candy they had for a porch full of children. So not only did I go trick-or-treating, but I received what seemed to be a reward for being by myself. From that day on I never felt uncomfortable going places by myself. I recall being at the movie theater one evening and someone asked, "Why are you here alone?" I said "I wanted to see the movie."
I never did really get along with those girls - in fact I remember not being very forgiving at first - but things change. It didn't hurt me at all, the experience was rather enlightening... and so to this day I feel like that evening gave me courage to be myself. Oh - I'm not always brave. Many times I have to fight the jitters, even when I do something as simple as reading the lessons on Sunday morning. The only thing I wonder now is if those two girls remember the story the same way I do. There are only a few memorable Halloweens - and this one was the first... Stay safe this evening.. and by the way, "when does Daylight Saving Time end."
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