Like so many other children, tonight my son will get dressed up in his scary-best and my wife and I will traipse him around town, knocking on strangers’ doors, and begging for sweets.   This is no different than what a half-billion other children are doing all across the Western hemisphere.

Almost.

The difference being, of course, that my son cannot eat any of it — not a single piece.   Being strongly milk-soy protein intolerant, plus a host of other food-related allergies, it almost completely eliminates him from any and all consumption of the treats he’s about to procure over the evening’s activities.

While for many the lure of the sugar high may be a great motivator, Keston only has…his costume?  Prancing around in the cold for amusement?   Walking two miles with an eye patch on to practice his manners every couple of minutes?   He’ll see plenty of others having fun eating all the loot and he’ll get….nothing.    Maybe a banana, if we have any left.

Such amusement.

Whatever his motivation is, he’s damned excited about doing it and will have a great time.    Despite a major component of the entire experience being removed, he’ll be chirpy and giggly and have a thoroughly good time prancing around, spending time with us, walking hand-in-hand, and enjoying being dressed up and talking to anyone that will listen.

And really….shouldn’t we all be so excited?    Do we always need a prize, a treasure of physical form, to go out and do something with others, the community, our friends, and our family?

Bless his innocence and spirit a thousand times.   I do not relish the day it is snuffed by the world.

Arrr.....