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Perspective: It's Not Just About The Candy

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Many times, over my lifetime, I have been a bum. 

Well, actually I think the word my Dad used was "hobo."

It was the perfect costume for Halloween -- a dirty face and a red bandana tied to a long stick. I remember my Dad saying, "Be a hobo."  Then he did his magic. Well, it was magic to me. 

He found a cork, pulled out his lighter and began to burn the cork. My eyes got a bit wider when he said, "Come here."

He cupped my chin in his left hand then began scraping that burnt cork across my forehead and into my cheeks. With a mirror I saw my scruffy face. It was great. It became my favorite costume. Easy. No plastic mask to slow me down.

My mission was CANDY! As much as I could get. Please understand ... in our house candy was rare. Not part of the budget or the healthy diet. But once a year ... there were no rules. I took a pillowcase and hit the streets.

I hit every house. I wanted it all. Hey ... I was a kid. Candy was gold.

I came back when the sack was full. Poured my pillowcase on the floor and spread my treasure out to pluck and pick and separate. And gobble until I was told to stop.

I was one happy hobo. 

Now ... I admit some sadness. Maybe even grief because this kid became a teen and I was too old to chase candy. 

I do wish Halloween had not turned into what it is today. 

I miss those days as a hobo. No fears. Trust in neighbors. The glorious free-for-all race for candy and -- this is the important part -- a moment of freedom. 

Freedom to be different. Something else. Someone else. 

The freedom to be a kid.

I’m Lonny Cain… and that’s my Perspective.

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