Share your Time - Pick Out a Pumpkin

Hi all,

Not sure how many of you enjoy Halloween or celebrate this holiday where you live. Maybe your religion does not believe in participating in holidays like Halloween. There are probably plenty of other reasons you do not partake in any of the activities that go with Halloween.

It might be easier to sit at home and do your normal day to day activities instead of going out and picking out a pumpkin. You might think to yourself, I am way too busy to go out and do something like pick out a pumpkin in a big farm with lots of people all around. Maybe others would just rather not be burdened by doing anything that takes extra coordination and effort than you normally would in your standard routines. I know some do not have choices and cannot do more than they are currently doing because of a variety of reasons.

I want to share with you another reason to participate in something like picking out a pumpkin for Halloween.

If you do not want to participate in activities with others; it could be viewed as being selfish. I say this because when you are apart of a family or have close friends you should not be selfish with your time if possible. I know we have to prioritize things and some things we cannot fit in. I just wanted to note we only have a few family members and close friends and our life's are only so long and pass by so quickly. Be with your family and close friends if you have any. Cherish the time you are together! You may never have another chance. I know for sure!

I almost died multiple times when I got critically sick, coded multiple times, went into a coma for 3 months, went completely blind and endured other very undesirable and uncomfortable circumstances. I was very close to not having the option to be with others and give my gift of my time.

It’s Pumpkin Picking Time  (Click on the pictures to enlarge)
I recently got to go pick out pumpkins with my wife Kathy and some family members on her side of the family at a farm in Morgan Hill, CA... We had my mother-in-law, father-in-law, two brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, niece, nephew, great niece and great nephew all ranging from ages 13 to 90. My father-in-law who is 90, recently had open heart surgery where they replaced one valve and did one bypass. My mother-in-law who is 88, is a little hearing impaired, and has macular degeneration and myself being completely blind and needing two canes to walk, gave us some challenges; but this was not going to stop us.

We all met at a house that was closer to the farm where we would go for the day to pick out our pumpkins. Soon we were caravanning to the farm in two vehicles. All of us were very excited. It was a very nice day outside. It was warm and slightly breezy. A perfect fall day in California.

When we got to the farm I heard many cars and people driving around. I could hear children laughing and giggling with joy. I could smell the food cooking. The breeze was warm and comforting as it blew against my face and through my hair.

When we left the parking lot we walked through rows and rows of tall corn stalks. I was told the stalks were green and had ears of corn on them. I felt like eating one raw; but I did not. The path we were walking on was covered with hay that felt a few inches thick , to my feet. This hay felt so soft and comfortable to walk on. Soon we were surrounded by pumpkins of all sizes as far as the eye could see, I was told. I gently put my cane on the side of one of the pumpkins as I searched the field for my pumpkin.
Once I had determined where the pumpkin was I gently put my cane on the top to feel the height. I tapped my cane gently so I would not dent or damage the pumpkins. If the pumpkin was the height I was looking for, I would then reach down and pick up the pumpkin feeling all sides with my opened hands to see the shape and to look for imperfections. I could then see if it was the shape I wanted. While holding the pumpkin, I would picture what would be the face side of the pumpkin where I would carve my Jack-O-Lantern.
I only found a couple of pumpkins this way. My wife and the others mostly helped me find the pumpkins in the large fields we were in. As we walked around pulling our wheelbarrow of pumpkins, we could hear a live band playing 50's music off in the distance. They were entertaining the people as they took breaks to listen to the music in the sun, drink soft drinks, and eat some barbeque or other food they were serving. They also had a train for the children to ride in. I could hear joy and happiness all around me. We all had a great time. I would not have missed being with everyone for anything. I am sure everyone in our group felt the same way.
I hope if you are able to participate in picking out a pumpkin with others, please don’t hesitate! I wish we all could cherish and value one of the greatest gifts we can give; a gift of our time and companionship. I also hope you have a great Halloween.

Does anyone have any thoughts or stories to share about Halloween? Any feelings about the value of giving a little bit of our time to make something more enjoyable by all?

Go out and help to make others dreams a reality by giving of yourself to others. You just might be the missing person in the equation.

We all look forward to hearing from you.

Bill Tipton

Contributing Author,
Global Dialogue Center
http://www.globaldialoguecenter.com/

Comments

[dennis terenzio]

Nice article. Thanks.

[nancy iseri]

Enjoyed the article, Bill!