Treats, no tricks

October 1968 - I was in the 2nd grade at East End Elementary school in Meadville, PA. I was able to receive lots of treats on Halloween night without any tricks. Of course, my brothers and sister probably felt like they were tricked (as they had to share their candy with me.)

I was sick with that long word: mononucleosis. Doctors must not be able to say it well either, cause they went ahead and shortened it to mono. If you're wondering how I got it -the answer is, "No, I didn't kiss any boys, not even one boy." Actually, I don't know why I got it. I just did.

I had to stay home from school for several weeks. Tim and Anne must have brought my schoolwork home with their own. At first I was out of school for the whole day - then it was for 1/2 day - til finally I could go back the whole day. While I was sick, Halloween came and went. I wasn't able to go out for very long - maybe 5- 10 minutes. So Tim and Anne had to share their candy with me.

They were out for hours - going up one street and down another. They had pillowcases full of yummy candy. I don't remember picking out my favorites - just that they shared without complaining. I was glad they shared. I loved candy!

While I was out of school - the kids drew pictures for me and wrote letters. I'm going include the letters (the pictures are now gone) - written just as they were (misspelling and everything.)

Dear Susan, I wood like to come up to your house sometime to see how you are. Mabe you wood like that. I no it is not fun to be sick. So mabe you wood like me to come up and see you. With love, Paula D.

Dear Susan, Are you feelling better? When do you think you will be back next week? I hope so don't you? We are mising you. Do you like the pictuer I drew? do you think you will be able to tricker treat? Your friend Jeffrey Hoke

Dear Susan, I hope you get better so you can come to school. Live Susan. John Moore

Dear Susan, Susan now you are in a different set. I hope you feel better soon you sit biy Kurt now. Your friend, Lisa (Byham)

Dear Susan, I hope you get better soon. The tetcher mises you get better And I do to wen you get better Tele me wen you get better. With love, Diane S. (Stefanucci)

Dear Susan, Susan I and Paula D. were racking leavs. We played in them. And berned them.And I hope you get Better beefore halawean. And I hop you get lots of Candy. Dear love Gregg (Gordon)

Dear Susan, While you ar sik we did a lot ov things. We made holoween picshers. And we playd with clay and made witches and goblins and bats and sckary old trees. I hope you get better soon. Your friend Kurt (Levens)

Dear Susan Do you love me and Kurt I love you two how Do you feel do you love me are you going to move and ... (Mark Hill)

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I'm glad to have kept a copy of the letters - especially now - that the originals are gone (from the house fire). It's fun to go back and reminisce - and see how things have changed over the years.

Hope you're enjoying the stories - more to come.