This morning as I drove off to the gym, I thought of all the things I had to do around the house – my Monday laundry sort and wash, vacuum the downstairs, wipe away several weeks of accumulated dust from the table surfaces, empty the dishwasher and bring order to the kitchen countertops – the list goes on and on. Then I thought about what I really wanted to do. There was only one item on that list; to write.
And so, having endured my Monday work-out, I came home, conquered the kitchen and sorted a week’s worth of dirty clothing, I am contentedly sitting at my desk, with the rhythmic hums and swishes of the washer and dryer running across the hall. Izzie is outback somewhere on patrol for vermin and Purrl is doing her best to entice me into a game of rubber band toss. I have about an hour before the squeaks of the garage door raising will echo through the house heralding Dave’s return for lunch. Let’s see what I can accomplish.
Halloween was wonder-filled as always. These days I have to live vicariously through the young parents who bring their little ones to my door. But I am always happy to see the throngs of beggars in their adopted personas. Fairies out-numbered princesses this year and I even had a trio of Greek goddesses! Some old favorites made an appearance; the ever popular “scream” mask, ninjas, cowgirls, ghosts and ghouls. 
I snapped just a few pictures. This one was my favorite because this little guy was genuinely pleased to have his picture taken. After I took the shot, I showed him the photo on my camera and he said, “That’s me!” I didn’t get his name, but he was sure a cutie!
I began to run out of candy early, about 7:30 or so. As I looked at the bottom of my bag I could hear a mother talking to her two little girls at the end of my driveway. The mother said, “This house doesn’t look scary. Why do you think it’s scary?” as she led the girls up the drive. Having heard her comment I asked, “Why did you think my house was scary? ” I was only going for a festive look. The mother explained that the littler of the two was a little skittish of houses that had decorations. I assured the little one that I was not trying to scare anyone- I didn’t even have a costume on! I offered my bag and told the girls (as I’d told the others) to help themselves to two pieces. The little one peaked in quietly and pulled out a fruity tootsie roll. “Look!” she said holding the candy out to her mother, “It’s my favorite!” She was so excited about that fruity tootsie roll that she forgot all about her fear.
The funny thing about her choice is that I love them as well and had a devil of a time finding them. The other children passed them over choosing Kit-Kats and Junior Mints instead. I was so tickled, I gave her another piece, telling her they were so little, she could have two of them. She left in a much lighter mood than the one she arrived in.
Immediately it struck me how many times in my own life I’ve been afraid to go somewhere or do something because of an irrational fear rather than a real one. It’s been a life-long battle that I am constantly aware of and have been able to triumph over in my adulthood. One of the secrets of my success has been to give myself little “pats on the back” after each little victory. Positive self-reinforcement really works for me.
I’m certain that next year that little girl will remember finding something special at the porch at the end of a dark driveway and maybe not be so frightened.
