The McKelly Pumpkin Tradition

Ever since our kids were old enough to eat candy — and old enough to know what Halloween was — their mother always put a pumpkin on the counter filled with treats right around Oct. 1.

Little did I know, until recently, that the appearance of the pumpkin held not only a seasonal impact on the kids but also an emotional one.  I sort of always took it for granted that it was there every year.

I realized that it held the same special place as did the "candy dish" at my Aunt Mary's house, which I violated every time I went there.

Over the years, said pumpkin was made of wicker and other materials of little or no consequence.

But this year, due to a crawlspace tragedy, the pumpkin had to be replaced with a "pump-can."  No one was more disappointed at not being able to find a more traditional wicker gord than my lovely wife.

And while change is sometimes painful, the McKelly pumpkin tradition never will and, perhaps, will be handed down from generation to generation.  Halloween is always happy at the McKelly's.  GET YOUR OWN CANDY!!!