I woke this morning still with a lump in my throat, fighting back the emotion as I continue to replay the excitement my daughter experienced as she jumped out of the car at each stop and rushed in to see what each participant of the festivities had to offer her.

At the first stop, I went to the door with her. After that, she assured me that she could go alone. After a few stops we got our routine together.  We would drive up assess the house try to determine if they were “treating” and then my daughter would move in for the stash.

Just like life, a couple of places were deceiving. They looked festive but when approached they offered nothing.  My daughter was so determined to have a good time. She didn’t let disappointments end her night fun. She whisked back to the car-NEXT!!

I’ll never forget the one house she was so determined to wait on them. You see, they had locked their screen door but left the storm door open and in her view she could see her favorite bubble gum piled in a bowl as if waiting for her arrival. After a few presses of the doorbell, she turned back toward the car but then paused and said “mama I really want to try again”.  I encouraged her to do so and then I could see someone barreling down the steps to resume their treat giving position. My daughter did the victory dance all the way back to the car .

I don’t think I’ll forget that night. For in that moment of time, it was one of the first times I could see the parallel to my childhood and  preciousness of innocence NOT lost .  No tricks-just pure TREAT.