As the proud grandmother of the Bean, I am posting to share a story about the lessons that can be learned when we take chances. The Bean is a skilled teacher; her smiles, touches, sounds and jumps into the air say it all.
Halloween was coming and the COVID virus promised to make it a very different event from those of past years. There was confusion about whether children should go door-to-door or stay home. Bean’s Mom is a master researcher and discovered that the Doon Pioneer Village was holding an outdoor Halloween event for families and quickly purchased tickets.
“A bit hasty,” I thought, but wisely kept my thoughts to myself. I pictured hoards of children running loose in the darkness oblivious of social distancing and parents rushing to chase them. I pictured chaos and, among other things, worried about losing the Bean during the event. These worries woke me in the middle of the night for nights on end leading up to the event.
Finally, Halloween day arrived and, as the Bean’s Mom was not well that day, I was going in her place, with the Bean's Dad. We met in the almost empty parking lot of the Doon Pioneer Village. The Bean was dressed up as a bat, in a black tutu and black winged cape, looking completely adorable! I worried though, that black bat Bean would get lost in the crowds.
“Where is everybody?” I asked the Bean’s father. “Don’t know, but let’s check in", he replied.
There was a desk with very friendly staff dressed in costume who assured us that we were in the right place and that the visits were timed to allow plenty of social distancing.
It became clear at that moment that the Bean’s mother had already researched the timed visits and didn’t give a moments worry to crowding because she knew it would be safe.
The Doon Pioneer Village is a collection of historic buildings spread out around a site that, during the daylight, takes the visitor back in time. But that night, the old village was dark and lit only by a huge full harvest moon and lamps that were spread along a walkway. It was magical.
Without a word, the Bean let us know that she thought so too. She reached up and took one hand of mine and one hand of her father’s and walked calmly along the path. She would let out a squeal of delight periodically that let us know she was thrilled. Soon we came to a bonfire, where a costumed man offered us a cup of hot cider and we stood around the fire, just gazing. It was quiet and peaceful and because one of Bean’s favorite things to do in this world is to watch flames dancing in the dark, she was in no hurry to leave.
Eventually we headed down the pathway to the next station. A gauzy ghost hung in the air and we were handed apples to throw at the ghost. The Bean refused to toss the apples, a surprise since another favorite activity of hers is to throw things (anything!), watch them as they fly through the air and listen to the sound they make upon landing. She laughed with delight as she watched her Dad throw the apples at the ghost. How did the organizers know to include all of the Bean’s favorite activities? We slowly walked the trail to the other special stops set up throughout the lamp-lit village while the Bean clearly enjoyed herself beyond all description. What could be better than the simple pleasure of holding the Bean’s little hand and walking in a quiet old village under the moonlight, I thought to myself. There were no crowds, no noisy runaway children and the Bean wasn't flying away into the darkness on her bat wings. Why had I lost so much sleep? Lesson learned.
The Bean is blessed with a Mom and Dad who do not put limits on what she should or should not experience. They jump in and let her try it all. If it works- great. If it doesn’t – it won't be an annual event. As a result Bean has lots of experiences that might not have come her way with false speculation and worry about things that might never happen.
It was during that walk along the moonlit path when the Bean taught her Grandmother to trust that she loves to try new experiences.
Thanks to the Kitchener Museum and Doon Pioneer Village for creating such an amazing Halloween experience for families during the challenge of COVID.
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