This Halloween, feeling too unwell to greet trick-or-treaters at my door, I put out two bowls filled with candy, along with a simple note asking the children to please take only three pieces. I had hoped this would ensure that everyone who came by would get a share.
I’m not sure what I expected, but as I watched through the doorbell cam, I was delighted. Each child approached exuberantly and expectantly, their excitement quickly morphing into a palpable sense of responsibility and respect as they carefully read the note and dutifully followed the instructions. They took their allotted pieces, some even counting them out loud, and left the bowls as I had hoped, ensuring that every trick-or-treater would have a chance to indulge.
When I ventured out to the porch this morning, I found both bowls nearly empty, save for one, lone Life Saver. It was as if no one wanted to be the one to take the last piece. It was a small but powerful reminder of the beauty and kindness that still exists.
In a world often dominated by negative headlines and dire pronouncements regarding future generations, my sweet Halloween experience reaffirmed my belief that the good certainly outweighs the bad.
The horrendous and the horrific will always get top billing because they deliver more clicks and draw in more viewers. The quiet, unheralded, unnoticed acts of kindness and selflessness, while rarely celebrated, are vivid portraits of hope. They testify unmistakably to the prevailing goodness inherent in most. We just have to make sure we take the time to notice. And encourage. And affirm. And commend.
Don’t take the bait and conclude, by virtue of what screams loudest that all hope is lost. Precious kids are still being led by responsible parents consistently teaching the values of respect and consideration. Moments like these remind us that compassion and decency are alive and well, evidenced, even, by something as simple as a single piece of candy.
So, bravo, parents. Well done, little (and big) kids. The future, while uncertain, abounds with potential because of people like you. Please don’t, for a moment, believe otherwise.
Last night, when you thought no one was looking, you offered me a glimpse into what’s real, but not necessarily sensational—what’s noteworthy, but rarely applauded. You’ll probably never make the news. Your picture will most likely never grace the front page, but you sure did bless me! In a world often focused on the wrong things, your quiet kindness was a beautiful testament to what truly matters. It may not ever move the needle, but I am grateful for the reminder.