Almost as quickly as it arrived, October is ending.

As I grow older, I begin to feel like a broken record with many things and this would be one.

Time is both a thief and a blur.

Last week I wrote on my newfound role as an Empty Nester and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the natural tie in to the time topic.

Eighteen years, sure goes fast. Crazy enough, 21 seems to go even faster and I’m sure the day will come when I will ponder how we’ve reached 40. Today we’ll stick with 18 and 21.

For the parents of littles, trust me (and many others) when I share the days may be long, but the years do go fast. The time will come when believe it or not you’ll long to be trapped in your car, living from snacks in your handbag - just one more day.

My mom has always been good at reminding me, the older you get the faster the time goes. A phrase which I can honestly say was truly wasted on me. How could that be possible? I mean, as activity shifts, days hold more void of responsibility and the calendar is no longer booked solid seven days a week, how could this be?

And yet, she was “older and wiser,” as another saying goes, because here we are at the end of October.

Last week, I began thinking of Halloween.

As I drove around our neighborhood, memories snuck up on me. Homes my daughter was once too frightened to approach, others which gave full size candy bars and rounding the corners to run into friends both large and small. Magical times of tradition and community.

Then of course there is the parade, a timeless treasure which has now become quite the big celebration at the center of town. I’m proud to report that 21 years ago we began as parade participants.

Then, it was a small but mighty affair, long before the days of the now beautifully built Bianchi Community Center sitting in the center of town. We would gather on North Second (just behind the Police Department) and travel down to Dorada Park where the Oakdale Kiwanis Club would greet us with hot dogs, bags of chips and sodas or juice boxes.

It was simple, but the kids and their parents loved every minute.

This year, with no Goblins or Ghouls residing in my home, I will report to the parade for some customary snapshots for the paper and then … I’ll go home.

No big party plans or costumes waiting to be thrown on. Nope, not this year.

Instead, I will return to a task I haven’t enjoyed for 19 years. I will return home, turn the porch light on and greet neighborhood cowboys, princesses and pop stars with treats.

And so continues this new chapter, as time does indeed march on.

Honestly, I’m excited to hear them scream the infamous “Trick or Treat,” as they peer into the bowl. Parents reminding them to say thank you, not run or stay off the lawn – it’s all good stuff.

After all before I know it, the time will have passed and God willing, I will slide into the seat as grandparent - staring yet again into the faces of my own babes pondering - where has the time gone?

Teresa Hammond is a staff reporter for The Oakdale Leader, The Riverbank News and The Escalon Times. She may be reached at thammond@oakdaleleader.com or by calling 209-847-3021.