Naperville dad goes nostalgic over Halloween

The scarecrow—a ragged, straw-stuffed figure that in decades past dotted the rural landscape—has inspired authors to create characters as beloved as the endearing man in the “Wizard Of Oz.” But for my wife, Barb and I, that folklore character brings back fond memories of raising our kids. I wanted to rekindle those memories for kids and for the grandparents, so I created a customized SendOutCard.  

At first I just wanted to get them laughing. I went through the family Scrapbook and selected photos of Ryan at the age of 5 in a Spiderman costume and Megan in her Cinderella gown when she was in preschool. I think Ryan wore that costume every day for a month, and I had Megan believing that she really was a princess. It's gone to her head now; she sometimes acts like royalty.  

Then I remembered how tired the two of them got after two hours of trick-or-treating. Ryan's superhero mask came off and his cape was dragging along the sidewalk, so I scooped him up. As for Megan, Barb carried our little princess in her arms.

Barb reminded me of the pumpkin patch outings. With camera in hand, we made for a favorite corn maze that featured a pumpkin patch and a petting zoo. I remember that when the rooster crowed, Ryan got so startled that he backed away and tripped over a hay bale. I caught him by the arm before he hit the ground though. I added those pictures into the SendOutCard too.

Then the innocent harvest festival activities turned toward haunted houses and Fright Fest nights.  The kids were growing up, and they liked being scared. It reminds me of when I was a kid, my friends and I would get together to watch spooky movies and eat popcorn. I like old movies, so Alfred Hitchcock's classic, "Psycho" always made the list of videos. Some years later, the tradition continues. I've added "Halloween," starring a young Jamie Lee Curtis in 1978, to the list. Since then other "slasher" movies have been incorporated, only they're DVDs now.

This idea of putting together a card to evoke smiles and laughter has somehow brought tears to my eyes. It became a storybook about celebrations and autumn fun. Like a crescendo of color, this story is about a gradual change in the lives of the people who matter most to me. This is my family, and I'm so incredibly proud of them and so unbelievably fortunate to have had these experiences.

Famed American artist Norman Rockwell may have included the scarecrow and related folklore in the backdrop of paintings depicting the simplicity of small town life, but it's real life Americana for me. The nights when my family carved a pumpkin or two or three or four and then decorated the house are precious memories. Give SendOutCards a whirl, and see what you discover.