My family lived in a very upscale neighborhood in Houston, Texas and everyone in the neighborhood would go all out on street celebrations like this. I was 6 and had been planning to maximize my candy collecting ability for at least 2 weeks. I had gathered additional large paper sacks from the grocery when our maid did the grocery shopping. Had 3 big ones for my little brother and me plus a little red wagon to carry the loot. In addition, some of the neighborhood kids also were joining us to really make a haul.

Just about dusk the mothers let us loose to gather loot. And boy did we gather. Every house hold was giving out huge double handfuls of wrapped joy. There were to be 3 long streets to cover and our little gang of 7 maybe 8 kids worked hard to get goodies – begging for just a little more from each household.

We talked about what punishments we would deal out if someone did not cough up, but everyone paid. Our grand plan of punishment was probably to ring the doorbell again.

By then end of the first street we had all we could carry or pull in the wagon. So back home we raced to store this loot and start on the next street. I remember getting a bit tired at the end of the second street again loaded with loot. Back home again to store the candy.

My mother asked if I didn’t think I had enough. I said no, but my brother quit me. So did most of the gang, but I trudged on up the third street pulling the wagon. I could only make it halfway till I gave up. Still though, I had a fresh half full paper sack of candy.

Back home exhausted, but elated with my success in candy harvesting, I asked my mother where all my candy was. She said that half bag I had in my wagon was all I needed and even that would make me sick so it would be rationed out to me.

Then she confessed that she had colluded with the other neighborhood moms to just recycle the candy as nobody needs a closet full of candy. I know I was shocked, but did not cry. My dad called me over and told me my mother was correct. I did not need to be sick from eating too much candy.

Then he went on to say that what I experienced was called “socialism” and that is what the communist want to do all over the world. You have to work hard and then they take most of what you earn to give to others who would not work as hard.

F….. Socialism!!! I want my candy!!!!