Again it is All Hallows Eve, and you are thankful that you have a choice about whether or not to eat Corned Beef. It is something that you now decline. Too many bad childhood memories.
The air is crisp, the night dark as you escort the group of children from mini mansion, to extraordinary over sized suburban dream. A group that includes your niece and nephew, along with assorted cousins. You reflect on how much Halloween has changed since you went out as a child. Your black pointed witch's hat, and long skirt, may disguise you, and allow you the fun of dressing up again, but it hinders your ability to keep up with the kids, once again. You don't dare let them out of your sight, not even for a second. Although there are three adults, you are all carefully watching for cars, strangers, and bad candy. "Do not eat anything until we get home and we can check the candy", the wicked witch next to you, the one who is your sister chants. Her long purple hair asssuming a livid color under the streetlights. "It was never like this when we were kids," remarks the other black coated, pointy shoed, hag. "Our parents could let us run free all night, we always came home." "Times change, and besides this is the last year we can let them out, from now on it is all indoor parties, and vetted treats." it is just not safe here any longer.
As you run from house to house trying to keep up, you realize that each year there are less and less children on the street, but the proportion of candy given out has increased. Now most children run up to the door, scream"trick or treat," grab the candy and run, the hapless homeowner left holding the bag so to speak. Smashed pumpkins litter the street, victims of vandalism, and lack of decent candy. But the kids that are in your group are too excited to care. They are outside in the dark, running around, and making a Halloween memory of their own.