Saturday night we had 53 trick-or-treaters at our house! It was the most we’ve ever had. I answered the door far more than my wife did and truly enjoyed seeing all the different costumes—some of the kids were so creative! Everyone was polite and thankful. However……..

​I’ve never liked Halloween. Even as a child, I couldn’t get excited about dressing up in a costume and going door-to-door for candy.

​Maybe the reason I’ve always disliked the holiday goes back to when I was in fifth grade. On Halloween night, I was assaulted in the alley near my house by a couple of older kids. They beat me up and stole every piece of candy I had collected. It was a traumatic experience, and every year when Halloween rolls around, that painful memory comes rushing back.

​At the time, we were living in a really nice neighborhood in New Ulm. I had plenty of friends nearby, and we all got along great. That particular night, my brother Greg, a few friends, and I canvassed the neighborhood, filling our bags with treats. Halloween in the 1960s was a huge deal. I was carrying a large paper grocery bag, and it was full of candy. I was wearing a skeleton costume my mom had homemade for me. I remember my mom spending a lot of time sewing that costume for me.

​We were only a block or two from home when Greg decided to run ahead. Finding myself alone, I chose to take the final block home through the dark alley.

​Suddenly, I heard noises behind me. As I turned around, someone used a knife to slash open my paper bag, sending all my candy spilling onto the ground. Before I could process what was happening, I was shoved to the dirt. I couldn’t see their faces clearly, but I assumed they were older teenagers, they wearing clown masks. They kicked and punched me while laughing, and then just as quickly as it started, they vanished into the night. Scared and bruised, I scrambled up and ran the rest of the way home, leaving my torn bag and scattered candy behind.

​Needless to say, Halloween will never be my favorite day. That said, as the years have passed, I do enjoy seeing the little kids out trick-or-treating in all their creative costumes. And as an adult, there are at least two bright spots: sneaking a few pieces of candy, and knowing that my favorite holiday—Thanksgiving—is right around the corner!