It’s an odd tradition, this dressing up in a homemade zombie outfit or as a not-so-worldly Dr. Seuss character, then going around with a plastic pumpkin asking people to fill it with candy bought at the grocery store.  The dress-up part makes sense since we all – young, old and the living dead – like to get out of our own skin once in a while, even if it’s make-believe.

Had a friend once who dressed up as an infant wearing only a cloth diaper. He went to a party in a large, drafty hall and nearly froze to death until his girlfriend, who was getting even with him about something he’d done wrong, wouldn’t take him home for three hours. He didn’t sleep like a baby that night.

Then there’s the priceless Winslow Way Halloween Party and this year’s rendition was no exception. Next time you go, get scary looking and sit behind merchants giving out candy, then check out the faces of the rascals trawling for whatever is available. The toddlers are still a little apprehensive, but occasionally you’ll spot an old soul dressed as a princess or a tin man. Fun.

Memories fade, but the anticipation of awaiting the opening of a door for whatever might appear out of the dark is what brings us back year after year. As a guide, once you’ve watched a gregarious 4-year-old Cinderella march up to a total stranger’s house, ring the doorbell, stand unflinchingly as a giant vampire slides into sight, and she says, “Oh, I want your bloody fangs,” you’re hooked forever.

Which is why 40 year olds dress up as ghouls and dance  to “Thriller” as a flash mob. Thriller? Try “Immortal” next year.

Clarification

Last week’s  letter  by Val Tollefson and Asha Rehnberg in support of park district commissioner Kirk Robinson was a personal endorsement and was not representative of their roles with the Bainbridge Island Land Trust as the tagline implied.