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 seem. 12 months after 12 months, it by no means comes — and but, Linus nonetheless believes. To some, it’s silly. To others, it’s lovely. However the reality is, Linus exhibits us that the true magic isn’t in what arrives, however within the hope and surprise we preserve alive.
Halloween has all the time been an evening of surprise. As youngsters, it was the one evening we may 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 just a few hours. The evening 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 mother and father’ voices trailing behind: “Say thanks!”
And right here’s the factor: children don’t outgrow that sense of surprise as shortly as we expect. 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 Aren’t they too outdated for this? Not an opportunity.
Isn’t it higher that they’re out operating by way of the evening, howling on the moon, respiration within the autumn air than sitting behind screens? Didn’t we as soon as really feel the decision of the pack, too? They could not say it out loud, however they nonetheless crave enjoyable, mischief, and permission to be foolish.
That’s the place we, as mother and father, are available. Like Linus, we will select to consider — not within the Nice Pumpkin itself, however within the worth of retaining traditions. For this reason we carve pumpkins, inform scary tales, and gown up alongside our youngsters — not as a result of we anticipate one thing magical to reach, however as a result of the act of believing makes the magic actual.
Our youngsters could chuckle at our enthusiasm, however years from now they’ll keep in mind. They’ll keep in mind scooping out pumpkin guts, the glow of jack-o’-lanterns, and the thrill of Halloween evening. In these recollections, 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 probably the most “honest pumpkin patch,” children know how you can 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 part of Linus within the pumpkin patch. Let’s wait, let’s chuckle, let’s hope. Let’s make room for play, for silliness, for thriller. Attempt howling on the moon, throw on a cape, eat a cider donut together with your children — simply because.
As a result of we want that surprise, and our kids want it, too.
Dr. Peter F. Folan is Head of Faculty at Dexter Southfield in Brookline
