I wrote this blog about 5 years ago and the message is still heartwarming and comforting. People celebrate or don’t celebrate the holiday of Halloween. Its roots are planted deeply in the earth of our lives. It has many meanings and activities. An historical perspective is not my purpose today. 

I have always loved Halloween. As a child, creating a unique costume consumed most of October. My mother was a good sport about the celebration; often staying up late to finish a special creation for one of the nine children who filled her home. 

As I grew older, easier costumes became the most popular. I think that I was a hobo or a pirate for 3 or 4 years in a row. Dirty face, patch over the eye and a striped shirt – so easy! I think that I will be a pirate this year as I attend a neighborhood party. 

Since this was before the days of booby-trapped treats, we went out on our own, up and down our busy road. I often had the responsibility of a younger sibling, but they were so cute that it was never a chore, but fun. We always came home with lots of candy, which our mother let us keep. Our dentist loved it. 

We never tricked. We knew that was wrong. Then we had to get up and go to church the next day because it was a holy day of obligation, All Saints’ Day. The religious significance of the day was not lost on me, but the candy was always the most important part. 

So, I was completely taken by an article in a local paper about an eight-year-old girl who had a different goal for her Halloween this year. She had her mother create a kid-sized McDonald’s French Fry container, all red and unmistakable. And then, she went out for Trick or Treat in that costume to collect for the Ronald McDonald House. She did this because she had a friend whose family had stayed at a Ronald McDonald House for a hospital stay. 

She did it because she likes to help people. She has a very generous heart. 
What a powerful example of self-less love in a child so young. What an inspiration for me when I think about buying some unnecessary item rather than slipping the extra contribution into the collection plate. I do believe that God’s heart swells when witnessing such unselfish action. What a wonderful way to please the Father who loves us unconditionally. 

Terri 

https://www.ocala.com/news/20191105/philanthropic-third-grader-is-one-kind-caring-mckid