The following “letter” is part of the continuing series from the unpublished novel by James Garrett, “Benicia Letters Once More”. He does not plan to publish the book but instead is choosing to share the letters with the readers of the Benicia Herald. The letters continue the storyline of Garrett’s first novel “Benicia and Letters of Love”. Each “letter” tells of love in one of its many forms from a separate point of view. Benicia is represented prominently in the letters because of Garrett’s deep fondness for the city of Benicia. He hopes readers see themselves or others they know in the letters because the concept of “Love” is universal.

Letter 13: Halloween Parade Meeting

Dear Mr. Garrett,
We met years ago at the yearly Halloween parade on Main Street in Benicia. Your wife, Roberta, and I made the costumes for our sons. What a beautiful example of small town love those yearly events express.
One year, Roberta costumed your son, Jim, as a tree. It was the best looking tree costume I’ve ever seen, but I thought it was humorous since I know you are all Cal-Berkeley fans and not fans of the present day Stanford Tree. When I saw Jim in the costume that was the second thought I had. The first was how nice he looked.
For the next few Halloweens we all saw each other with our children in costumes. Then they outgrew the desire to wear them and each of us parents had passed through another time as had they.
All of the events in Benicia have changed, adapted, and grown as time has gone by, but, whatever, they are each, still, so nice. I grew up in Sacramento. The only yearly events I knew of there were far too big and fancy for my family.
Moving to Benicia opened a new experience for my family and me. The move was made to get my husband closer to his job, but what a blessing we discovered over time in the small town on the north side of the Carquinez Straits.
I chuckle at reading some of the Letters to the Editor and columns in the Benicia Herald, but what a joy it is to know they are there. There is great pride in knowing, with no question regarding opinion, that people of opposing views can stand across the street from each other and express their political beliefs.
There is a good thing going on here in Benicia, and it has been going on for years. All of it starts with a love for people and community.
–Karen

James Garrett is a lifelong resident of Benicia and a former teacher at Benicia High School. He is the author of the following novels: “Benicia and Letters of Love”, “The Mansion Stories”, “Chief Salt”, and “One Great Season, 9-0!” He also compiled a three-volume work entitled “The Golden Era: Benicia High School Football, The 1948 through 1960 Seasons, “A” History with Comments.” He can be contacted at jgstoriesnpoetry@aol.com.

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