A Happy Halloween

Ok, so I didn't quite keep my promise. What else is new? I had told Sam we would drive around and look at lights for Halloween but no trick-or-treating. Well, we drove around and looked at lights (where there were any) but when it came to the trick-or treating, I made an exception. One exception.

There's a house we go to every year where an older woman lives ("older", meaning about my age). And every year this woman invites Sam inside and has him select a toy or more often, a stuffed animal. This woman is special to Sam so when we drove around looking at lights, we drove by this woman's house. Thankfully, her porch lights and decorations were on.

I pulled over to the side of the road ("Really??" Sam said) and had Sam put on a mask. I stepped out and helped him put on some rubber gloves, which I had stuck in my pocket before we left - and I gave him two instructions: First, no going inside, and second, don't touch your face until we take off your gloves. Oh, and third, whatever she gives you, we'll let it sit on the porch for a couple of days, just to be safe.

Sam went up to her door and I waited out by the tree in her front yard, like usual, and listened. After a few knocks, she came to the door and I can honestly say she was as happy to see Sam as he was to see her. 

For once, Sam wasn't invited inside, "Due to the  COVID," she said. Sam told it was ok, he wouldn't have been able to go inside anyway. She said she was wondering if he was going to show up this year and was getting ready to give up, that Sam was coming by later than usual. This was true. We were about a half hour later, letting it get nice and dark in hopes of seeing more lights.

They chatted for a few minutes and she gave Sam a goody bag containing a couple of  Hot Wheels and I think a candy bar or two (thoughtfully, no stuffed animals in these pandemic times)... and they chatted a few minutes more. 

Finally, they wished each other a goodnight, a happy Halloween and each said they hoped to see the other again next year.

Back at the car, Sam, all smiles, set down his goody bag, took off his gloves, and we drove off, looking for a few more lights on our way back home.