October 31, 2017
We are getting settled into the gentle life Sebring, FL provides. Even so, there are still boxes everywhere in our new house. We even had to clear the entryway to open the door for the anticipated trick or treaters. Mike told me that he heard our neighborhood is a very popular spot for the kids.
It is the first time we have ever had many trick or treaters. I have already lost count and determined we did not buy enough candy.
Spiderman, Princesses galore, ghosts, gunshot victims, cowboys, nerds, plus scary big ones, teens-2 boys together-which kind of freak me out.
It is their size and development age standing before me causes this uncomfortable feeling. Ouch, I am triggered; it is guttural. I choose to put my feelings aside. I must not think about it. I am having trouble answering the door. I am so glad and blessed that Michael is here with me. I am facing my fear. I have calmed my pulse and returned my focus to living in the present.
Thank you, God!
Mike is playing haunted house music for greater the effect. It’s 7:24 pm and we are beginning to watch Ender’s Game. I am feeling my feelings tonight. When the yellow team “took off” I could remember the bodily sensations of the apex a roller coaster and how my adrenaline would take off. There was a sharp intake of my breath. Then I let it go. It is interesting how my mind can recreate sensations just from my thoughts.
Oh no! We have less than 10 pieces of candy left. I was a bit wigged out from being triggered and had asked Michael to not leave me here to go buy more.
It is now 8:08 pm. We have turned the lights off. No more candy left. Mike bought a large quantity. We had guests for nearly an hour before we ran out of candy.
We may have had 40 or more. Maybe 50. I started giving 3 away to each one for several rounds. About fifteen minutes into the parade of kids, I backed off and gave just 2 pieces to each kid.
November 1, 2017
By counting pieces of candy purchased from the empty bags, I was able to create an estimate of 100 guests last night. How fun!
I learned this morning that Golf Hammock, our subdivision, is a favorite trick or treat spot. The lady at the YMCA told me that she only had 400 this year, down from 800 last year. She credits the sharp decline to it being a school night, conflicts with other cities hours; and additionally, Halloween was originally canceled due to all the Hurricane Irma debris.
Wow! This news opened my eyes! We will be better prepared next year.