Wisdom and Grace: Wisdom & Grace: Halloween opinions – past and present

As I write this, today is Halloween, Oct. 31. I realize this won't be published until Nov. 7, but I have some things that I've been thinking quite a bit about and thought I would "put pen to paper."

As a kid, I can't remember going Trick or Treating very much. One year my brother and I dressed up in some antique clothes that mom had been given. Dad drove our friends Cindi and Calvin Couch, my brother and I around to the neighbors: Draegers, Springers and Rismons. We happily and gratefully received a piece of candy or a cookie from each of them.

Our last stop was the Weyh place where the hired man opened the door when we knocked. "Trick or Treat!" we said in unison. He was so flustered. "What?" he asked. To which we once again we replied, "Trick or Treat!" Obviously, he had no idea that it was Oct. 31. He was so embarrassed and rattled that he closed the door on us saying, "Just a minute. Wait here." He went in looking for some sort of treat for us. After a while he came back with a huge bag of apples. We thought he would put one apple in each of our bags. No. Instead, he said, "Take the whole bag," and quickly closed the door.

The first 10 years of our marriage were spent in Green River, Wyoming. In 1985 we were expecting our fourth child when the OB/GYN informed me, "I'm going to Africa soon on a mission's trip. If you come to the Rock Springs hospital on the evening of Oct. 31, I can deliver your baby. If not, another doctor will be available." Well, I loved that doctor and wanted only him to deliver our baby ... so I agreed.

As I remember, we took the other three girls Trick or Treating in our neighborhood. A couple from our church came and stayed with the girls. Rod and I headed to Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County. I was induced. The nurses asked if I minded having a baby born on Halloween. "No, our anniversary is on Valentine's Day so I guess it's okay," I answered (as if that makes any sense). But I was secretly hoping to hold off until midnight. At 3:08 a.m. November 1, we welcomed our fourth daughter, Laura DeeAnn!

In January of 1986 we moved to Glenrock, Wyoming, and Rod began working for the Dave Johnson Power Plant. About a year later began one of the most memorable and fruitful times of my life. Along with a good friend, we started Bible Adventure Hour for kids through the sixth grade on Tuesday nights. For the eight years I directed BAH we averaged 55 kids each week in a town of 2,000. (Multiply that by the size of Havre - 10,000 and we would have had over 250 kids! One year we took 41 kids to our Bible Camp at Lander.)

Oct. 31, we rented the school cafeteria and had a "Noah's Ark Party." All the kids dressed as animals and if there happened to be any non-animals come, it was the kids who met them at the door and after a little repositioning of the costumes they started looking like animals, also. Lots of games were played and tons of candy was given out.

I have never been thrilled with witches, ghosts and goblins. Truthfully, I hate them. So, when I became the chaplain for Northern Montana Health Care and then also the Care Center Activity Director, I wasn't really prepared for Trick or Treaters at the Care Center. Someone dropped off some candy for the residents to pass out. I thought I would have one of my Activity Aides give it to the residents in case any Trick or Treaters came by.

But one of the long-time nurses said, "You know Ila, if you don't stay ... you are missing a great public relations opportunity." So, I stayed. And on that night my opinion of what Halloween could do for our residents drastically changed. I saw happiness and joy and pure delight as the residents were able to give a piece of candy to a child! They absolutely loved it!

In fact, that was the turning point of my goal as Care Center Activity Director: "Bring the community into the residents and take the residents out into the community." For nearly 20 years, we brought school kids from kindergarten to seniors into the Care Center. They read to the residents through "Listen Inn," interviewed residents for high school local history classes, and at every opportunity we brought them in to share their music concerts with residents. In turn we took the residents out to the community: Senior Centers up and down the Hi-Line, scenic trips to check out the signs of spring, harvest and fall colors. We took them to the Great Northern Fair, John Deere Days and the Festival Days Parade.

And it all began with Halloween. We perfected Halloween at the Care Center through the years. Nearly all of the 1,500 pounds of candy was donated by the NMHC employees. We picked up candy at the hospital, clinics and, of course, the Care Center. Directional signs were hung so parents could find their way back to the door they came in at. Care Center management and family members manned the doors on Halloween night not allowing Trick or Treaters in until 6:30 p.m., giving the residents time to eat dinner, freshen up and be in their doorways with a big bucket of candy .

At 6:30 p.m., the loud speaker would proclaim, "Please open the doors. Welcome Trick or Treaters to Northern Montana Care Center!" All doors except the south west one were opened. The middle hallway was roped off and resident were brought down to the end. The hallways were flooded with as many as 1,500 Trick or Treaters and their parents. 1,500 pounds of candy went in a flash. Some residents gave one or two pieces, others gave a handful to each child. Volunteers were kept running refilling buckets as the candy was given out.

By 8 p.m., the Trick or Treaters were gone, the buckets were empty and the residents were exhausted. But every resident went to bed that night with a smile on their face.

Halloween these days mainly involves my grandchildren. Life is good. Remembering days of Halloween past is good. Very good.

You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. Two of every bird, of every kind of animal and every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive." Genesis 6:19 and 20

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Ila McClenahan is a retired chaplain and activity director living in the Amos area north of Havre. She spends her time writing, speaking at various events and trying to be a good grandmother, mother and wife.