Send in the clowns

There was a time I enjoyed Halloween masks and costumes based on how scary they were.

The more frightening, the better.

But then, as I got older, my tastes changed. I learned to appreciate costumes and masks that displayed humor and creativity.

Even more, I began to truly appreciate talent and inspiration that go into producing costumes that make us smile.

Send in the clowns. There's nothing more colorful than clowns.

As we get older, our values can change. Our tastes evolve and adapt. Sometimes our entire belief system changes.

I'm not sure why all of that happens. But it does. We're a product of our experiences.

So today, when I see a gruesome monster mask or Dracula fangs, I think about the "olden" days when I reveled in such things. But when I see a clown face, I smile and bask in happiness.

That's why it bothers me we're dealing with a recent stigma associated with clowns. We don't know which ones are good and which are evil. I hope it's a passing phase. Clowns are getting a bum rap and we're being shortchanged.

In my opinion, we can't get enough happiness. It seems there's an abundance of misfortune and bad news, even tragedy. We don't get enough of the good stuff to balance it out. We don't get enough reasons to smile, and now clowns are being taken from us, in a sense.

Of course, some folks enjoy turmoil and blood and guts.

When I asked a friend why he enjoys watching murder shows and movies about atrocious crimes and tragedy, he said: "I like those things when they're based on reality, on true stories."

"But why sit through scenes of violence, hate and blood," I asked.

He said: "Because it's part of life."

"Maybe it is," I responded. "But so is nausea and vomiting. Nausea and vomiting are part of life, but I wouldn't consider them entertainment."

I guess it all comes down to personal preference.

Entertainment is different things to different people. It all depends on our circumstances.

I've seen enough blood and violence to last a lifetime. I don't need to see it again on television or at the movies.

The real world provides me with all of the gore I care to deal with, thank you. I don't want an extra helping to fill my leisure time.

Today my preference is for anything that makes me smile and laugh.

I must admit, I do occasionally watch murder mysteries. I can understand the fascination with a documentary about the life of convicted mass murderer John Wayne Gacy or that Dahmer creep.

The subject matter is compelling, no question about it.

But if they happen to air a rerun of "Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang" at the same time, I'll be there instead. I'll always opt to soar high in a jalopy than relive the nightmare of a killing spree.

I look for laughter to take the edge off bad news, and there's plenty of it.

Stark reality is a dish served to us all daily. From the moment we get out of bed to the final yawn at night, we spend our hours dealing with it. So I welcome a dose of laughter anywhere I can find it. Laughter is the dessert in the grand feast of living; it makes everything else palatable.

For me, laughter is just as important to Halloween as fright, and that's just one reason why I like clowns.

Clown lives matter.

Let's fight for our clowns and keep the smile in Halloween.

Contact Donald R. Serfass at dserfass@tnonline.com.