Earlier than streaming, the world paused every October when “It’s the Nice Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” aired. For me, it wasn’t Snoopy or Charlie Brown who stole the present, however Linus — the thinker along with his blanket, sitting faithfully within the pumpkin patch.
Every Halloween, he waits for “the Nice Pumpkin” to look. Yr after yr, it by no means comes — and but, Linus nonetheless believes. To some, it’s silly. To others, it’s stunning. However the reality is, Linus reveals us that the actual magic isn’t in what arrives, however within the hope and surprise we preserve alive.
Halloween has at all times been an evening of surprise. As kids, it was the one night time we might run wild after darkish — capes flapping, masks slipping, baggage filling with sweet. It was freedom wrapped in costume: to be a princess, a superhero, a ghoul, or a monster, if just for a number of hours. The night time air was crisp, the leaves crunched underfoot, and the streetlights forged simply sufficient glow to make the shadows really feel mysterious. We reduce by way of yards, leapt over bushes, and heard dad and mom’ voices trailing behind: “Say thanks!”
And right here’s the factor: youngsters don’t outgrow that sense of surprise as rapidly as we predict. They crave it. Center schoolers, even excessive schoolers, nonetheless present up at our doorways in costumes — generally half-hearted, generally ironic, generally impressed. It’s tempting to sigh or roll our eyes. Aren’t they too previous for this? Not an opportunity.
Isn’t it higher that they’re out working by way of the night time, howling on the moon, respiratory within the autumn air than sitting behind screens? Didn’t we as soon as really feel the decision of the pack, too? They might not say it out loud, however they nonetheless crave enjoyable, mischief, and permission to be foolish.
That’s the place we, as dad and mom, are available in. Like Linus, we are able to select to consider — not within the Nice Pumpkin itself, however within the worth of protecting traditions. That is why we carve pumpkins, inform scary tales, and costume up alongside our youngsters — not as a result of we count on one thing magical to reach, however as a result of the act of believing makes the magic actual.
Our youngsters could giggle at our enthusiasm, however years from now they’ll bear in mind. They’ll bear in mind scooping out pumpkin guts, the glow of jack-o’-lanterns, and the thrill of Halloween night time. In these reminiscences, they’ll uncover that surprise doesn’t disappear with age — it solely adjustments type.
Just like the vines in Linus’s pumpkin patch, seeds of surprise develop finest when tended with sincerity. Simply as Linus insists the Nice Pumpkin solely rises in essentially the most “honest pumpkin patch,” youngsters know be honest — once they roar like a monster, consider they’re a princess, or proudly carry Captain America’s protect. They do all of it with real pleasure.
This Halloween, let’s be a part of Linus within the pumpkin patch. Let’s wait, let’s giggle, let’s hope. Let’s make room for play, for silliness, for thriller. Strive howling on the moon, throw on a cape, eat a cider donut along with your youngsters — simply because.
As a result of we want that surprise, and our youngsters want it, too.
Dr. Peter F. Folan is Head of College at Dexter Southfield in Brookline
