For years we did little for Halloween. It wasn\u2019t so much about its ancient Celtic origin, but rather because we lived on a rather large plot of land nestled between multiple housing developments amid a golf community; kids simply did not come to our house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When moving South and into an actual neighborhood, no less, it was immediately evident that the evening of October 31st was a community event. There\u2019s just something about community that is so obviously good and right and true. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And so we made the decision \u2014 having spent close to nil on the observance in years past \u2014 to be that<\/em> house. Yes, the house with the regular, full-size candy bars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This year we offered M&M\u2019s, Reese\u2019s, Reese\u2019s Oreos, Skittles, Sour Patch Kids and Swedish Fish with various drinks available, too, for kids and adults. Several dear friends came and joined in the fun, and the nine of us sat out on the front porch, handing out some 500 bars to the ardent trick-or-treaters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The response was absolutely delightful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLook!\u201d<\/em> One would yell. \u201cI told you they had big candy bars!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re the G.O.A.T.!\u201d<\/em> squealed another adolescent. \u201cBest house in the neighborhood!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Oh, the kids were kind. The teens, too. I\u2019m sure there are many who adopt a similar practice. There are also places in the hood where the number of candy collectors is in the thousands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But such got me thinking about the why behind the response\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n All we did was hand out a little bigger bar to the kids and offer treats to the adults. It was an unexpected act of generosity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Let me be clear; there\u2019s a difference between being generous and being charitable. While the words are often used interchangeably, \u201ccharitable\u201d implies giving to the needy, whereas \u201cgenerous\u201d is a broader term for being liberal in giving or sharing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But generosity is a deliberate act of kindness. It\u2019s an expression of value. And it\u2019s giving someone something without expectation of anything in return. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sure, we knew several of the masked little monsters who made their way up the short walkway. Several adult friends also sauntered by. But the clear majority of the candy seekers were people we did not know; they were strangers. The small, generous gesture was not based on any existent relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the costume-clad kid traffic dwindled and the evening came to a close, those of us on the porch sat and reflected on what a wonderful evening it was. What did we observe and conclude in a most tremendous night of people watching? \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 the Skittles went fast\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 the recently released Reese\u2019s Oreo Cup was a surprise hit \u2014 especially with the adults\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 water is so often welcomed\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 the family all dressed up as the cast, celebrating the 10 year anniversary of \u201cHamilton,\u201d was ingenious\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And most of all, generosity is meaningful.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Generosity doesn\u2019t have to be a lot; the amount matters less than the intention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But generosity makes people feel seen, appreciated and important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Generosity is a most beautiful thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Respectfully\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" For years we did little for Halloween. It wasn\u2019t so much about its ancient Celtic origin, but rather because we lived on a rather large plot of land nestled between multiple housing developments amid a golf community; kids simply did not come to our house. When moving South and into an actual neighborhood, no less, … <\/p>\n