My Turn: Many thanks to all who helped with costume parade

By the Lincoln Family Association

The Lincoln Family Association organized a Halloween costume parade with Courtney Koumijan, resident coordinator of Lincoln Woods, and Cathiangely Quirindongo, Rey Romero, and their children Vianavi and Reythian Romero of Lincoln Woods with friend Isaac Rosado. This was a bright light for so many in Lincoln during a difficult time to parent children — a chance to celebrate the creativity of kids, the joy of a longstanding trick-or-treat tradition, and a chance to gather safely as a community that has always focused on the growth, happiness, and health of its children.

It is in the heart of this rally around our youth that we see Lincoln shine so bright — every business at the Lincoln Mall simply saying an enthusiastic yes, and how can we help, when LincFam inquired if they would be able to participate. Donelan’s — which in the heart of the pandemic kept their doors open and created special shopping times for residents most at risk for Covid-19 complications — created a beautiful autumnal Halloween table laden with sweet treats and healthy snacks just inside its doors. Something Special — who in this same time offered to personally shop for each resident and bring perfectly wrapped gifts to hands unable to enter their store so no kid missed a birthday present from their grandparents, friends and family — opened its doors to delight children and fete them with delicious treats, smiling at each costume, knowing every superhero and classic character. Twisted Tree — which somehow managed to keep us fed, create an opportunity to not have to cook a meal to keep that semblance of normalcy, and to lessen the burden of the isolation for individuals and families — had frosted bubbles, hay bales and pumpkins lining its windows.

The police and fire crews  — who never stopped showing up for us and keeping us safe — showed up first to shepherd us from a flawless fall fest organized by Lincoln’s incredible Parks and Rec department to Lincoln Woods to safely end the parade for our costumed little ones. They engaged each child who sprinted towards the shiny vehicles and trucks. As if on cue, a commuter train slowly passed, dappled with late fall sunshine and honking for the cheering kids who deserved just a little more magic this year when being a kid is just a little more complicated. Residents of Lincoln Woods handed out countless pieces of candy, sharing the joy and creating the joy of the day. 

We are a community of individuals, organizations, and businesses who say yes. You came, Lincoln, you showed up. Masked and ready to celebrate our youth, you came and costumed yourselves, your kids, your pets. Our youngest participants may not remember a time before masks, but they will never forget the  happiness of that day. Thank you for all your kindness, your joy, and your willingness to always do a little more to make Lincoln such a special place to grow up. The world may make our individual hearts weary, but the community of Lincoln consistently lifts and fills us.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.