Deciding whether or not to buy that pumpkin could be a lost opportunity, but for what? Three days ago my daughter mentioned she would like a pumpkin, and if I would please check the local market for one on my way home from an errand. So I passed by the market and checked out the supply. One in particular looked pretty good. After checking out its shape, size and condition, I pondered – would this pumpkin be OK? I actually considered not taking it into the store to purchase – I’m not sure what held me back. Its slight imperfections – would it fit the bill? Too much over analyzing – for sure. Well, I took the plunge and lugged it inside to the cash register, where the person bagging groceries said, Do you have candy for the trick or treaters? I said, “No!” “I better get some.” He agreed and was happy to influence me. I didn’t tell him we hadn’t had a trick or treater for 20 years. So, after buying my candy and pumpkin @ $9.99. I asked the man, not young, not old, but a familiar face, bagging groceries, if he wouldn’t take my pumpkin to the car for me. It was kind of heavy. He was happy to oblige. On our way I asked him if he remembered the huge blizzard we had in 2011, which totally ruined our Halloween; the years when we used to get tons of children at the door. He said, “Yes, of course, I remember it.” And proceeded to tell me that night of the storm he was drinking and driving, hit black ice and had a horrible car accident. He said he hasn’t had a drink since. I was impressed with his story and told him I knew a few men who have chosen the same path as he has.

So, if I hadn’t gone in to the buy the pumpkin, I never would have heard the not so old man’s story, a person who has waited on me invariably since the times of Covid, and who has never ever opened up to me in all that time. I took the pumpkin home to my daughter, who excitedly carved out this jack-o-lantern, for her own 14 month daughter, whom she dressed up like a little witch, and marched her up and down the street to stop at all the houses with their lights on to go trick or treating. I think she was the only one out, but still neighbors were hopeful that someone would stop. The pumpkin sat outside on our doorstep with a candle-inside, to chase away all the evil spirits flying through the air.

All of this came to be…