The large October moon hung low in the sky doing its best to illuminate the darkened streets. The leaves crunched underneath my footie pajamas which was a makeshift bunny rabbit costume for that one magickal night; Halloween. A tail made out of cotton balls, whiskers painted on my face with eyeliner and felt ears. It was a poor man's excuse for a costume, but being young and excited about getting candy and whatever else I might receive in my pillow case, it was nothing less than fabulous. I hopped as best as I could, feet freezing, but refusing to put on shoes (rabbits don't wear shoes!) as the temperatures dipped and the frost began to set on the already curled leaves. My brother begrudgingly followed me as my parents despised this 'dark' holiday. The first house I hopped to (always staying in character) had eerie lights which cast a green glow on to the blackened street. The preparation for this one night began...but instead of excitement and anticipation, I was overwhelmed with fear. If I called out Trick or Treat would there really be a possibility of a trick and not a treat at all, I wondered? I was paralyzed by the unknown. Who would meet me at the door? Would it be a grandma or a monster? Maybe this wasn't worth it, I analyzed. I had begged my mom to allow me to go out, but maybe I should've taken her up on the offer of a bag of candy and hot chocolate. I stood there, listening to the sounds of others calling out for treats, but I was afraid. I could sense my brother losing his patience with me and I wasn't sure what would be worse - being dragged back home, a humiliated bunny without any candy, or taking a chance and ringing a doorbell. The panic and indecision was almost too much for me to handle. Until.
Raggedy Ann skipped happily up to me. A girl dressed as Raggedy Ann, that is, and asked if I wanted to go with her. I wiggled my blackened nose and shyly nodded. She grabbed my hand as we entered into the unknown of the night. Hours later, I happily poured my treasures and treats on to the green shag carpeting, very grateful for the costumed girl who gave me the confidence to get exactly what I had wanted.
Life is very much like Trick or Treating with so many unknowns. You don't know what you will encounter at the new job, after the divorce, or when you hold that new baby in your arms, but you know what you want out of it. Sometimes we are given tricks instead of treats, but it is how you handle that very obstacle that determines how many treats you get. If you stay glued to the darkened street and decide to go home without going up the door, you will never find out what treats and treasures you might receive. Excuses or analyzing the 'what ifs' may make you feel better about not taking chances, but in the end it is a disservice to your future. And it always helps to have a Raggedy Ann in your back pocket who has enough confidence for the both of you, but sometimes you have to channel that within yourself.
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