when i was a kid: halloween edition

We all have those moments when we think back to when we were younger, back when we were kids. When we think back, certain events stand out in our minds. We remember random, seemingly unimportant details so vividly. Other events we don't remember so well. So when I thought back on Halloween memories, I was not surprised that one stood out above the rest. It was when I was in 4th grade. To set this story up properly, you must first understand my upbringing. I was raised in a pretty strict, conservative household. Halloween was not one of the holidays we celebrated. I remember as a kid going to my church's Harvest Party on Halloween night. What did I care. I was getting candy just the same. I don't recall wearing elaborate costumes. (I think I usually went as like a farmer or something.) If we were really lucky, my dad would let us go trick-or-treating at our neighbors' houses. All in all though, Halloween wasn't a day we celebrated. So there I was in 4th grade, a week before Halloween, and my class was about to begin practicing for our part in the annual Halloween school play. Knowing that this was the day they would pick parts for individuals, my dad sent me to school prepared with a note. I'm sure it was addressed "to whom it may concern" as all of his notes were. The note essentially said that I could not participate in or attend the play due to religious beliefs but was allowed to participate in eating candy. My teacher thought I had written the note myself. I mean, it was awfully convenient that the note specified that I could eat candy. More than that, however, my teacher pointed out that the word "halloween" was not capitalized. Certainly an adult (no less an extremely intelligent one like my father) would never make that mistake. She called my dad at work to check the note's authenticity. He verified that it was and upon her request agreed to let me push play on the tape player during practice. I think I remember this one more vividly than other Halloween moments because I was frustrated that the teacher had called my integrity into question by accusing me of forging the note. It was embarrassing to be questioned about this in front of my whole class. I wasn't like mortified or anything, just a little annoyed. And if I remember correctly, I was happy not to have to be seen in that ridiculously cheesy play anyway. But as they say, such is life.