I suspect it is time for me to accept that I am the older generation. More and more I find myself saying things like, “I remember when…” So here I go.

I remember when Halloween was a fun time of knocking on neighborhood doors and school carnivals. We lived in a small town were most people knew you or at least knew of you. The homemade popcorn balls were okay to eat. The school carnivals had cake walks, simple carnival games, and my favorite helium balloons. I have some great memories of celebrating in our small town.

We moved from that small town when I was around 9 years old. Celebrating Halloween changed once we moved. We no longer knew most of our neighbors, we wouldn’t dare eat a homemade treat and no more school carnivals. I do remember having fun coming up with the best Halloween costumes. One year my sister, best friend and I made candy themed costumes. (This was before the internet and Pinterest) We used lots of cardboard and paint. We designed a Butterfinger, a Baby Ruth, and Wrigley’s Chewing Gum. I wish I had a picture of us. I remember when… no digital cameras and film was expensive.

I hope we can all remember this.

Just because things have changed, it doesn’t mean that creating fun memories is a thing of the past. I consider it my responsibility to help create the memories for the younger generation that will last a lifetime. I will cherish my childhood memories. I will use them as a springboard for creating great memories with my family and friends.

PS – the internet and Pinterest makes fun ideas a lot easier.

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