I think I am in serious need of an Ebenezer Scrooge-like intervention.

Except instead of reshaping my attitude about Christmas, this one should target my ideas about Halloween. 

I’m a real “BOO, Humbug!” kind of guy when it comes to this unique American holiday. In fact, if I thought we could get away with it, Joan and I would leave our porch light off and hide in the bedroom all evening, cuddling with the doggos while the doorbell rang in vain. 

I am not really sure what happened that turned me so sour. As a kid I used to LOVE Halloween! I remember spending weeks trying to come up with costume ideas… and then of course waiting until October 30 after school to spring those ideas on my mom.

I also got a big kick out of going out with my kids when they were young. I remember cowboys and firefighters and Transformers and football players and ghostly ghouls passing on the sidewalk, comparing the total tonnage of candy collected and sharing tips about where the FULL-SIZED candy bars could be acquired.

But now? I’ll just endure it… smile tersely at the little costumed beggars… wait patiently for it to pass… and then breathe a giant sigh of relief that I won’t have to think about Halloween for another 364 days. 

One blogger I follow – Ann at https://seekingdivineperspective.com – tells the story of how she once transformed this annual celebration of all things evil and scary into a costumed re-enactment of the Jesus story, right there in her front yard. It apparently became a real neighborhood attraction that endured for many years.

While I certainly admire Ann’s dedication, creativity, and evangelical fervor, I could not imagine doing anything remotely similar. 

Looking a little more deeply into my skull, I notice that it’s not just Halloween I have a problem with. It is the entire genre of FANTASY – in literature, games, movies, or holidays. Fantasy somehow just lacks ALL appeal for me. 

I remember how as a young comic book consumer I always favored Batman over Superman. I justified my choice to my BFF Robbie saying, “Batman is better because he is just a normal guy with normal powers. He doesn’t need X-ray vision or super strength to fight crime.” Forgetting for the moment, of course, Batman’s super souped-up Batmobile, his underground Wayne Mansion Bat Cave, his Swiss Army knife-like Utility Belt, and the guidance of the all-knowing, all-seeing Alfred the Butler.

So, would it shock you to learn that I haven’t read one word of one Harry Potter book? Or Lord of the Rings? Or any of their multiple spin-offs?

Considering my earlier confession, it shouldn’t.

Maybe THAT is more the intervention I need from the Ghost of Unseen Worlds Beyond. Maybe I need to be Scrooged into a renewed appreciation of the importance of the realm of FANTASY!

But to tell you the truth, I’m not sure the intervention would take. Even if that ghost came clanking chains and breathing sulfur, I think I would still resist him (her?). 

The lesson I feel more desperately in search of is the lesson of how to EMBRACE the real, messy, tragic, chaotic world I have on my hands right now. I am not sure I need to be taught how to ESCAPE it. 

Let’s be real: there are so many parts of this world I would much rather turn my back on: Israel and Gaza. Ukraine. South Africa. Guatemala. Haiti. Rampant poverty and hunger in most places. The killing curse of addiction. Homelessness. Corruption. Abuse.

I look at all this sorrow, assess my own powerlessness to change ANY of it, and want nothing more than to shut it out and pretend I live in some magical, faraway place where none of this exists. 

But alas, I can’t. 

I really hope this all doesn’t sound judgmental of those of you who love a good fantasy game or book. PLEASE hasten to show me how it is absolutely possible to embrace this real, tragic world we live in and also fly off regularly into the world of make believe. 

I’m ready to listen.

And finally, for the sake of harmony and cultural solidarity I will conclude with a hearty HAPPY HALLOWEEN for those who celebrate. 

Abundant blessings;