Halloween has always been my favorite Holiday. I love the idea that we can dress up and escape our realities for just a night. It’s a chance for us to be something devilish and sinister. But mostly it’s just good fun. And do I need to mention the candy? You wouldn’t believe the treats my children brought home from school yesterday. If I was a homeless man I would trick or treat AS a homeless man…it’d be a convincing costume and a sure fire way to get some grub. Of course maybe that’s why I’m not homeless; I think outside of the box.

Every Halloween I can’t help but remember a friend of mine who lived nearby when I was growing up. Adam Baine was a super nice kid who had the misfortune (in my opinion) of being born into a ridiculously religious family. He wasn’t allowed to listen to ANY music with electric guitars, he only attended Christian schools, and of course he wasn’t allowed to celebrate Halloween. I remember feeling so sorry for him. His parents did their best to demonize the holiday after their attempts to make him oblivious to it fell futile. I imagine the most hell-like anyone was on those Halloween nights was poor Adam as he sat inside listening to the throngs of revelers knocking at the door.

I feel bad for people that are that raised in families that don’t celebrate Halloween. It’s that kind of moral repressiveness that makes kids and teens go crazy when they finally get some freedom. If you think dressing up constitutes some kind of devil worship I feel sorry for you. You are really naive and far too easily influenced. Halloween should be the least of your concerns. I still feel bad for him to this day. As a 10 year old, missing Halloween was a bane of his existence.

It’s my sincere hope that wherever you are today Adam, whether or not you dress up or party, that at the least you have a couple pieces of candy and enjoy this awesome tradition we all share. Maybe one day you’ll knock on my door and I’ll finally be able to celebrate my favorite holiday with you, all these years later.

To everyone that reads this blog; all you ghouls and ghost, vamps and zombies, creatures of the night and all things fun and frightening; I wish you all a deliciously tasty Halloween filled with many treats and most importantly, many more memories. Happy Halloween!