From The Chief Editor's Desk...

Before the kids came along, I couldn't care less about Halloween. To me, Halloween was for the kids. I didn't want to waste the money (that I didn't have in the first place) on costumes, nor waste the time creating one. Most of the “adults” that I knew that celebrated Halloween either had kids, or used it as an excuse for yet another stupid night of drinking (which I prefer to excuse myself from).

Then, once the kids did come along, my whole view of Halloween changed … a lot. Like, a complete 180° turn around.

I now “dress up” to take the kids out trick-or-treating. In the past, I've been Stuart from the Minions, Jack Skelington, and the Grim Reaper (last year). So, for this year, I've procured a costume that will be a hit with my kids. I'm going to be Beetlej… Hold it. I can't say it. I especially can't say it three times. Eeek!

My kids LOVE Halloween. In fact, it's their favorite “holiday” right after Christmas and Easter. They put a lot of thought into what they want their costumes to be. Over the years, Ryan has been (among other things) a lion, a firefighter, Chewbacca, Bendy, Jack Skelington, Iron Man, Bumblebee (Transformers), and the character from the Scream movies. Lexi has been Sally (from Nightmare Before Christmas), Wonder Woman, Jasmine (the Disney Princess), Elsa (from Frozen), and Wednesday Addams, among others.

This year, Ryan has a Titan Speakerman costume from Skibidi Toilet. Lexi wants to be an angel, and we still have to get pieces for that costume.

Seeing how excited the kids get for Halloween, and seeing the joy on their faces has completely changed how I view the annual autumn ritual. It has changed me from a “Halloween Scrooge” (I've always handed out candy to the Trick or Treaters … I wasn't THAT bad!) to someone who is almost as eager for Halloween to arrive as the kids are for it to arrive.

It's amazing how kids change your perspective on things.

This month's cover image celebrates the Halloween season, and was created by Pixabay artist Gerd Altman.

Until next month, I bid you peace, happiness, serenity, prosperity, and continued good health!