Happy Halloween!
“There is a child in every one of us who is still a trick-or-treater looking for a brightly-lit front porch.” ~Robert Brault
The practice of trick-or-treating began a few hundred years ago in Europe as an All Souls’ Day (Nov. 2) tradition. The less fortunate visited the homes of wealthier families and received pastries known as “soul cakes.” This was done in exchange for a promise to pray for the souls of the homeowners’ deceased relatives.
In Scotland and Ireland — where many of today’s Halloween traditions began — children and young adults disguised themselves in costumes and asked for small gifts from neighboring households. Wearing costumes was referred to as “guising,” and the practice involved reciting a poem, singing, or telling a joke before collecting fruit, nuts or coins.
No matter how old we are, Halloween brings out the kid in each of us. Enjoy the costumed trick-or-treaters at your door tonight — and treat yourself to a piece of your favorite candy. Happy Halloween! ~CL
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Cindy La Ferle
Throughout my career, I've worked as a book production editor, travel magazine editor, features writer, and weekly newspaper columnist. My award-winning lifestyles features and essays have appeared in many national magazines and anthologies, including Newsweek, Reader's Digest, The Christian Science Monitor, Writer's Digest, Victoria, Better Homes & Gardens, Bella Grace, and more. My weekly Sunday "Life Lines" column ran for 14 years in The Daily Tribune (Royal Oak, MI) and won a First Place (Local Columns) award from the Michigan Press Association. My essay collection, Writing Home, includes 93 previously published columns and essays focusing on parenthood and family life.
