When we think of Frankenstein,
we usually think of a large monster-
menacing, awkward,and scarred with stitch marks
that cause us to reject and fear him.
And although Frankenstein is not a real person,
his story should make us pause and realize
that there are many lessons to be learned
from this man-made monster.
First of all, none of us chooses our parents
or the way that we are born.
"The creature, which he had hoped would be beautiful, is instead hideous to his eyes, with a withered, translucent, yellowish skin that barely conceals the muscular system and blood vessels. After giving the monster life, Frankenstein is repulsed by his work: "I had desired it with an ardor that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart.” (source: Wikipedia)
Frankenstein was pretty much doomed from the get-go.
But yet, he persevered and tried to learn about the world-
finding the beauty in small children and wild flowers.
In Mary Shelly's novel, the beast says:
"My spirits were elevated by the enchanting appearance of nature; the past was blotted from my memory, the present was tranquil, and the future gilded by bright rays of hope and anticipations of joy."
He found out that because he was different,
people were afraid of him- or mocked him,
causing him to revel in the all-too-human emotion of loneliness.
All he really wanted was to be part of a family- a group-
to learn and share in the experience of living.
His only true friendship was made with a blind man
who could not see Frankenstein's ugliness.
Perhaps we should approach people with a blind eye.
Maybe we should listen first and look later.
There is a heart within us all that yearns for the same things:
a home, nourishment, a family,
and someone to love.
The story of Frankenstein should teach us all
to be slower to judge.
Today I see the other side of Frankenstein.
I see the sad creature.
The rejected and lonesome man
who never found a home or a family to love him.
Reach out today and trust somebody new.
Bring them into your warm circle of friendship
and make them happy.
"I do know that for the sympathy of one living being, I would make peace with all. I have love in me the likes of which you can scarcely imagine and rage the likes of which you would not believe. (The Monster)
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Now- after that little soap box speech,
here's a little Halloween treat!
Trick-or-Treat Tidbits
Adults- Four-in-ten (41%) adults admit that they sneak sweets from their own candy bowl.
- On Halloween night, the majority (52%) of those providing treats to costumed kiddies will be passing out chocolate, while three‐in‐ten will drop hard candy or lollipops into the sacks.
- 62% of adults will be handing out candy because "it's a personal favorite" or it's a household tradition (55%)
- 43% of grown-up celebrants cite costumes as one of the most indispensable parts of the holiday.
- About 26% of households will include full-size candy (chocolate and non-chocolate) in their Halloween activities.
- 90% of parents admit to sneaking goodies from their kids' Halloween trick-or-treat bags.
- Parents favorite treats to sneak from their kids’ trick-or-treat bags are snack-size chocolate bars (70 percent sneak these), candy-coated chocolate pieces (40 percent), caramels (37 percent) and gum (26 percent).
- Parents least favorite goodie to take from their kids’ trick-or-treat bags is licorice (18 percent).
- 30% of kids report that they SORT their candy first when returning home with trick-or-treat loot, others:
- Savor it (20%)
- Share it (16%)
- Stash it (14%)
- Swap it (7%)
- Kids say they prefer homes that give: anything made with chocolate (68%) followed by lollipops (9%), gummy candy (7%) and bubble gum or chewing gum (7%)
- More than 93% of children go trick-or-treating each year.
- Kids tell us that their favorite treats to receive when trick-or-treating are candy and gum. Eighty-four percent of kids said candy and gum are their favorites over other options like baked goods or small toys.
