About Me:

Aloha! I'm Wendy Kennar. I'm the mother of a seven-year-old son and a wife living in Los Angeles. I was a public school teacher for twelve years until a chronic medical condition made it necessary to leave my teaching career.

I've always been described as "quiet" - really, I'm just biting my tongue. I've got lots to say, and lots of thoughts to share, I just prefer to write them. That's the purpose of this blog. Each Wednesday, I post a personal essay offering my observations and thoughts.

A few fun facts about me: I've wanted to be a writer since second grade, when my teacher, Mrs. Jones, made me a "book" with a yellow construction paper cover. I have never learned to whistle, have always preferred sunflowers to roses, and have spent my life living within the same zip code.

Through the years, my writing has been published in the Los Angeles Times, Christian Science Monitor, United Teacher, GreenPrints, L.A. Parent, DivineCaroline.com, RoleReboot.org, XOJane, and Brain, Child Magazine. Additionally, my personal essays have been included in several anthologies, including: The Barefoot Review, Beyond the Diaper Bag, Lessons From My Parents, Write for Light, Being a Grown-Up: A User's Manual for the Real World, Ka-Pow!, How Writing Can Get You Through Tough Times, Breath and Shadow, The Grey Wolfe Storybook, and Sisters Born, Sisters Found.
I am a regular contributor at MomsLA.com, and you can also find me at Goodreads.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. Feel free to comment and share my blog with others!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Trick or Treat

   Halloween really bothered me this year.  And it shouldn’t.  It should be a light-hearted day, full of merriment and silliness.  Not that I need an excuse to eat candy, but any holiday that celebrates chocolate is okay in my book.

   I guess it’s because of the way Halloween is evolving.  Our doorbell was busy Halloween night, and most of our visitors were people I had never seen before.  And yes, I did say people.  Because while I did distribute candy to the child pirate and witch, I also passed out candy to the high school boys who said they were dressed as “skateboarders” and the high school girls dressed in pajamas.  When did Halloween become the day you knock on strangers’ doors accepting, and expecting, sweets?

   Then there was the child Darth Vader and his brother, dressed as Superman.  Although these two children do live on our block and used to play in our yard, their mother has decided not to acknowledge the presence of my family.  She will literally walk by me as I say “hello” in passing, yet there she was with her two sons, watching as they accepted candy from my hands.

   364 days of the year, we teach our children not to accept candy from strangers (let alone, ask for it.)  Suddenly, one night of the year the rules change.  And I’m not sure why.  

   I appreciate the allure of wearing a costume.  The freedom to masquerade and behave uncharacteristically, to try out a different persona, if only for a night.  But why must I feed these people too?  
         I’m fortunate that my son is 3 1/2, and so far, Halloween is just what we expose him to.  Pumpkins we decorate with Sharpie markers.  A hand-me down costume for him to wear to the local park.  Sweet and simple, inexpensive and easy - as it should be. 

3 comments:

  1. Honey,

    I agree with you on this one wholeheartedly!
    Whenever I read your writing I hear you voice so loud and clear.
    You are a fantastic writer!

    Love,
    Paul

    ReplyDelete
  2. When I see the cost of costumes that parents spend for one day it amazes me.Halloween seems to be getting more and more about anyone going and asking for candy.I do not believe high school children should be asking for candy and I am not in favor of children accepting candy from just anyone.I love reading your work.I love you and I am so proud of you.
    love,mommy

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  3. I don't know where the tradition of halloween comes from? I have heard stories of big kids taking (stealing) from little children. When I was young, I trusted everyone, today this is not the case. There are abuses of many types, but Halloween promotes the most flagrant abuses of all, where the greed of others is most prevalent. Your blog causes me to pause & think. Your Mother & I are proud of you.

    Love, Dad

    ReplyDelete