Halloween Approacheth 2020: Pondering

Thursday, October 15, 2020

School yesterday with virtual conferences after school from 4 - 8 p.m. No school today but conferences from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Exhausting but very satisfying. I love talking to families to discuss progress. In this time of Covid-19 checking in to see how things are going at home for folks has taken on a more significant meaning. 

Taking time after work to sit with a cigar to reflect how things have gone work wise this still fairly new school year felt well deserved. Also, being outside feelin’ fall with slightly cooler yet still comfortable weather felt very #blessed. Not a fan of that term but in the moment it felt very accurate. 

As I sat outside amidst the glorious fall weather I pondered whether or not trick-or-treating would occur this year and whether or not I'll be passing out candy. According to Aaron E. Carroll in the New York Times, "The agency [CDC] recently announced that traditional trick-or-treating, with face-to-face candy distribution, is a high-risk activity. Even modified trick-or-treating with grab-and-go goody bags was labeled a moderate risk."

That doesn't bode well for the kids. I haven't been trick-or-treating since probably 2008 or so when Mom, Dale, and I accompanied Sam's kids while they made the rounds. Even though I didn't collect any candy for myself it was still a magical experience in of of itself but especially because it helped me capture a feeling I hadn't felt in years. 

Now that I'm all grown up, the passing out of treats on Halloween has allowed for a connection to those Halloween memories and experiences of my own from so many years ago. That link becomes more and more important to me as I become aware that the days ahead of me become fewer and fewer than the days behind me.