October has been my favorite month of the year since early childhood. Trick-or-Treating on Halloween is one of my fondest childhood memories. I recall the excitement I felt as the night of witches, pumpkins, ghosts, ghouls & goblins arrived. Mom would sew a simple costume for me, usually out of old sheets & pillowcases. She delighted in my two hours of joy each year. In our neighborhood, every home, with one or two exceptions, seemed to come alive in a way seen only on this special night. Several neighbors invited us kids inside their homes, where living & dining rooms became inner sanctums this one special night; where a witch's cauldron was stirred as "smoke" seemed to brim atop the pot; where costumed characters greeted us & often scared us half to death- we loved it! What joy I felt filling up my brown paper grocery bag with small candy delights, stopping home to dump the goodies on the living room floor & leave again for more fun! Why am I sharing my Halloween memories? Because good childhood memories are important- they can carry us through the trying times of life. They bring joy & light when challenging circumstances push & pull us in ways we could never have imagined. Your youngster gets one childhood & one adolescence. Being present with every day small events with your kids creates fond memories that will last them a lifetime! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!