I was grumbling last night as I had older kids and even adults show up for trick-o-treating. Lamented the situation on Facebook. Then, I rethought the subject, and this is what I posted this morning:
Times have changed, and there is bone-crushing poverty in this town. Begging on street corners has become a legitimate means of making a living for people. So, I should not be surprised to have adults begging for candy on my doorstep. I remember, as a small child, bums coming to our back porch, begging for food. My mother always had something to give them. Therefore, I too should be willing to share the bounty.
We live a very blessed life. Who am I to begrudge someone a few pieces of candy?
I’ve never thought of it that way! You may have given those older kids and adults the only treats they’ve had for a while.
I had three older kids (maybe ten to twelve) who were my only visitors. I was happy to give them candy, because there would be less for me to eat later!
Thirty two years ago, when we first moved here, we had hordes of children, all dressed in costume. Maybe, after 8 pm, there would be some high schoolers, but that was seldom. I usually ran out of candy before 8 and shut off the lights. About 15 years ago, people from the poorer parts of town were bussing their kids into the neighborhood; again, though, they were in costume. In 2012, we have some small children, very few costumes, and lots of older kids (high school/college) and adults, some w/children.
That is a very kind way to look at it…….I would rather give the candy to an adult in need than a teenage taller than I am, talking on a cell phone, with a pillowcase full of candy.