Editorial
Marian Kelly: A friendly ghost of Halloweens past
One of my employees was telling me how she goes all-out in decorating her home for Halloween.
As she puts it, “People think that when you’ve reached the point of tacky, there isn’t any more you can do. They don’t realize that you can push right past tacky to majestic.”
I thought back to the Halloweens of my youth. We always made up our own costumes. I admit that I was envious of store-bought cartoon character getups — but I now realize that half the fun was the challenge of arranging the same bandanas and baggy clothes from one year to the next to depict a gypsy, a hobo and a cowboy.
I became an inveterate trick-or-treater, retiring only when I got so tall that homeowners gave me dirty looks. It’s a sad fact of aging that, just when you get old enough to appreciate the value of free candy, you’re too old for the tradition.
One of my more memorable All Hallow’s Eves was about 20 years ago, when I lived in Springfield and did some substitute teaching at St. Joseph’s School. I learned that most kids in Springfield’s Catholic elementary schools visit nursing homes in costume on Halloween.
The day before, the principal came into my classroom to tell the kids what to expect. He explained that some of the people they would meet did not have grandchildren who were able to visit them, so they hadn’t seen children in a very long time. They might want to hug you, he told them, and if you don’t feel like hugging them back, you don’t have to.
Then he said, “If any of them begin to cry, don’t be afraid — they are crying because they’re happy to see you.”
I don’t mind telling you that, after hearing this pep talk, I seriously contemplated how to get out of the trip. I’d been to a couple nursing homes to visit relatives, and I had hoped never to set foot in another one. (Of course, in subsequent years that’s where I would visit both my grandmothers.)
Well, the next day I sucked it up and boarded the bus. Most of the kids knew the drill, so I hung back, holding the hand of a youngster who was as nervous as I was. We walked through the entire nursing home; first the common rooms, then the hallways.
Near the end of our visit, a 9-year-old boy dressed as Dracula unceremoniously strolled into a resident’s room, right up to the very elderly lady who was perched on the edge of her bed, and who seemed unsure of whether she wanted to get out of it. The boy wrapped his arms around her waist. I turned to another teacher and asked, “Is that his grandma?” She replied, “No, he doesn’t know her. He’s just made this trip before.”
I turned back to see the woman enfold the child tightly in her arms, and the lad stood quietly, hugging her back until she was ready to let him go. Eventually they pulled apart, and the boy beamed at this total stranger and said, “Happy Halloween.”
I’ve seen some unselfish acts before, but this one has stayed with me for some reason. That lady had no family photos in her room; no mementos of loved ones. Did the little boy pick up on that, or did he just have a generous spirit? I will never know. But I do know that, even if only for a few moments, because of that little Dracula, she was somebody’s grandma.
Marian Kelly is a comedian, writer and motivational speaker. Her Web site is www.mariankelly.com. She lives in Seneca.
- Editorial
-
-
In our view: Qualified for the job?
Voters in Jasper and Newton counties will be making decisions on several key positions on the local level. Among them are the presiding commissioner races in each of the two counties.
-
Voices: Ensuring a safe place
When we think of our community, we want to think that we live in a safe place. This is one reason why people live where they do. On Aug. 3, the city of Neosho will be asking the voters to approve a tax levy that will go to fund city services.
-
Voices: Operate ‘leaner’
How gullible do these local businesses think the citizens of Neosho are?
It is quite all right for these businesses to support an increase in property taxes. While they may state that this increase will affect them, it will, in truth, have very little impact upon them. -
Voices: Integrity and work ethic
I am writing this letter in support of William “Bill” White. He has donated countless hours as past president of the Joplin Swim Team, where I was fortunate to serve on the board of directors with him for the last four years.
-
Voices: Qualified candidate
Aug. 3 is almost here and we in the 129th District have a very important decision to make.
-
Voices: Way of life
Jim Stone’s recent column in The Joplin Globe shares with readers the “need to stop parroting the words of pundits ... to honestly listen to each other ... and pursue a dialogue that actually makes our nation progress.”
-
Voices: Missed opportunities
I see the friends of Gary Nodler are out in force now. Of course, the fact that Gary Nodler has been a state senator all this time is not due to any exceptional ability on his part. Rather, no one bothered to challenge him until his term limits ran out.
-
Voices: Blunt’s election ads
Congressman Roy Blunt’s political ads promise to “clean up” government and reduce spending that has put the United States in debt. They sound like they are for a “new” candidate.
-
Voices: Vote for a fresh face
With the elections drawing near, the ads ramping up, the door bells ringing, the signs are a-flying, and everyone drawing opinions, why would you vote for a fresh face?
-
Editor's note: Campaign letters
The Joplin Globe wants to hear from candidates vying in the Aug. 3 election and their supporters and critics.
- More Editorial Headlines
-
