Last night, we were invited to our daughter's home for dinner and an evening of Halloween fun in her neighbourhood. It was a real treat for us.
She lives in a family-oriented subdivision filled with young families, while we live in a gated community where trick-or-treaters never come to the door. Every year, we miss seeing the excitement on children's faces, so it was nice to be part of it again.
My daughter prepared a wonderful dinner while my son-in-law took charge of answering the door. The first trick-or-treater arrived shortly after 5 p.m. When the door opened, the child looked up and announced, "Give me some candy."
The parents were standing on the sidewalk and didn't hear the comment. It was a memorable start to the evening.
Their family is known for handing out full-size chocolate bars, a tradition that makes their house quite popular. Before long, my granddaughter, who is a university student, dressed in costume and took over candy duty. She loves greeting the children and seeing their costumes.
From my seat nearby, I had the perfect view of the parade of superheroes, princesses, ghosts, and creatures making their way from door to door. As the evening went on, I couldn't help but notice something interesting.
Only about 30 percent of the children remembered to say "thank you."
That may sound disappointing, but I chose to look at it another way. It was encouraging to see that many children are still being taught the importance of good manners. A simple "thank you" costs nothing, yet it can brighten someone's day.
One of my favourite moments came later in the evening when a Surrey police car pulled up in front of the house. The officer sat there for several minutes working on his computer. Curious, I grabbed a full-size Mars Bar and walked it out to him.
I said, "thank you for all you do". He looked surprised, smiled, accepted the chocolate bar, and said, "Thank you."
A small gesture, but it reminded me that courtesy works both ways.
The officer wasn't there for long. He soon headed off to wherever he was needed next. It made me think about the people who work while the rest of us are celebrating. Police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and other emergency personnel spend nights like Halloween keeping our communities safe, often missing time with their own families.
They deserve a huge thank you.
The weather cooperated beautifully. It was cool and clear, perfect for trick-or-treating. As darkness settled in, fireworks began lighting up the sky. Fireworks require permits and are otherwise prohibited, but judging by the spectacular display coming from the park beside my daughter's home, you wouldn't have known it.
As we drove home later that evening, I found myself reflecting on the night. Halloween is about costumes, candy, and community, but it's also a reminder that simple acts of kindness still matter. Whether it's a child saying thank you, a family opening their door to hundreds of visitors, or an officer accepting a chocolate bar with a smile, those small moments are often what make the evening memorable.
And in the end, those are the treats I remember most.
Just some of the illegal fireworks that went on until late in the evening:
