Memories of Halloweens Past

Another season without trick or treaters coming to the door... When my two sons, now in their early 30s, were really INTO trick or treating, it usually snowed on October 31st. The weather seemed to know it was Halloween. In the way Santa Fe has of changing seasons without warning, a sunny afternoon sky would grow overcast and moody. The temperature dropped suddenly, wind and rain began, and by the time my costumed offspring and I were ready to trek around the neighborhood, it was snowing in earnest.
Boots, heavy winter parkas, mittens and scarves covered up the Superman, Batman or Ghost get-ups of my children. The houses were far apart, but those folks who shared the Halloween spirit announced it with bright porch lights. We tromped into long driveways and were warmly welcomed. Most were folks we knew, and they invited us in out of the cold. Because there weren’t many young children on our street, the handouts were bountiful. No one wanted to be stuck with a huge supply of Snickers, M&Ms, lollipops and candy kisses, so without even asking, my sons were urged to take second helpings.
It seemed more like Christmas time than late October. Despite the thrill of seemingly endless candy handouts, the boys soon grew weary of battling the snow storm. We all did. Our hands and feet grew numb, and after canvassing just half of mile-long Zia Road, we turned around and headed home.
Other longtime Santa Feans, friends whose children now have children of their own, remember those snowy Halloweens. Was it really as wintery as we remember? The answer is probably “Yes.” With global climate change, however, we may seldom again know the bite of winter in the middle of Autumn. Such is life in the 21st century.