It’s just the second year, but my family is enjoying hosting Trunk or Treats. We dress as a theme and we’re committed to passing out anything but candy. last year we were Sesame Street characters. I was Cookie Monster and we passed our cookies, of course to trick or treaters.
This year my son and his cousin chose Inside Out 2 as our theme complete with a console and purity button (you have to see the movie to get that). Each of us was a character from the movie. I was JOY! Our trunk featured a bubble machine, slime, inflatable table hockey games (a nod to the main character Riley, who played hockey), play-doh and fidgets. We passed out stickers of the characters as well as a feelings wheel for parents to support them in supporting their children to share and embody their feelings. Oh, and I have to share that we won Most Interactive Trunk for the church event. And several told us we were the best at the other two events we did. No shame, we’re pretty competitive but all in fun!
3 Lessons from Trunk or Treats
When people approached our trunk we asked what makes you happy. So many children said their parents and dogs. ☺️ I’m reminded that despite endless prods to wake up, the rushing to get out of the house or fighting over completing homework, the parent-children connection can be a source of joy for children.
Let’s remember that our closest relationships can be the most challenging and the most joy-filled. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t say something about the sheer joy pets and animals can bring to our lives. Having animal-human interactions lowers human stress among other benefits.
Most high, almighty Lord, our Creator, yours are the praise, the glory, the honour and all blessings! To you alone do all things belong. Be praised for giving us the animals, birds and fish which fill your world. May we think of you and thank you when we play with and care for our pets. - St. Francis of Assisi
Interactivity: engaging the senses with bubbles, slime, and games served to lower people’s resistance in sharing or feeling emotions. This played out when a child sought out my sister, who was dressed as the character Sadness, to share what made her sad, since she had shared what made her happy. Her answer was: when people are not treated kindly. My sister validated the child’s feelings.
The lesson is that playing, showering, being active — all of these things can help us to be more aware of what we’re feeling.
. 4 Thus says the Lordof hosts: Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of great age. 5 And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets. 6 Thus says the Lord of hosts: If it is marvelous in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, should it also be marvelous in my sight, declares the Lord of hosts?7 Thus says the Lord of hosts: Behold, I will save my people from the east country and from the west country, 8 and I will bring them to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness.” Zechariah 8:4-8 ESV
Allow fear. One of the organizations we served was St Louis Variety, which supports children with disabilities. My oldest son is on the autism spectrum is participates in events hosted by variety. At the end of the event, an older child dressed in a scary costume made a beeline toward me. His mom intercepted him knowing he was going to try to scare me. After hearing this, I told her he could scare me. So I turned my back to him and then he roared at me and I screamed. He was so happy. I said, “wow, you got me…that was scary!”
My favorite quote regarding fear says “fear is excitement without the breath,” Gay Hendricks in The Big Leap. As we find ourselves in fear depending on the situation, consider if you’re excited. Take a breath and discover whether it’s fear or excitement or hey, it may be both.
God didn’t give us a spirit that is timid but one that is powerful, loving, and self-controlled. 2 Timothy 1:7 CEB
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