Kevin had already made his Halloween costume with his mom and helped his dad decorate their house. He was excited about how much candy he would collect. But one house on his street didn’t have any decorations, and that kept bothering him. He didn’t understand why someone wouldn’t celebrate Halloween, so he thought maybe they needed help.
Halloween was almost here, and the entire neighborhood was buzzing with excitement. Every yard seemed to be trying to be the scariest one around.
There were pumpkins with big, jagged smiles all along the sidewalks. Plastic skeletons hung from tree branches, and fake cobwebs covered porches.
The air smelled like dry leaves and candy, and eleven-year-old Kevin could feel his heart racing with excitement.
Halloween was Kevin’s favorite day of the year, a time when anyone could be whatever they wanted. He loved how everything changed for that one magical night.
As he walked down the street, he smiled, looking at the glowing jack-o’-lanterns and spooky ghosts decorating the houses. Some homes even played creepy sounds like witches’ laughter and creaking doors.
But something different caught his eye as he went farther down the street. One house was dark and plain, with no decorations at all. It was Mrs. Kimbly’s house.
Mrs. Kimbly was an older woman who lived alone. Kevin had helped her before, mowing her lawn in summer and shoveling snow in winter, but she rarely said much. Her undecorated house seemed out of place in the festive neighborhood.
Kevin felt bad that her house had no Halloween spirit. He thought maybe she needed help with the decorations. Determined, he crossed the street and knocked on her door.
When Mrs. Kimbly answered, her face showed annoyance. “What do you want, Kevin?” she asked in a gruff voice.
“I noticed you don’t have any Halloween decorations. I could help you put some up, if you’d like,” Kevin offered.
Mrs. Kimbly frowned. “I don’t need decorations, and I don’t need help,” she said sharply before slamming the door.
Kevin was surprised. How could anyone hate Halloween so much? He didn’t want her house to be a target for pranks, like kids throwing toilet paper, so he came up with a plan.
At home, Kevin told his mom, Sarah, about Mrs. Kimbly’s undecorated house and how she had slammed the door in his face. His mom suggested leaving her alone, explaining that people might have reasons for not celebrating.
But Kevin didn’t think Mrs. Kimbly hated Halloween—she seemed lonely. So, he decided to help anyway.
He gathered all the Halloween decorations he could find, including his favorite pumpkin, and hurried back to Mrs. Kimbly’s house. He carefully hung lights and placed pumpkins on her porch. As he finished, the front door opened, and Mrs. Kimbly stormed out, furious.
“I told you not to decorate my house!” she yelled. She grabbed Kevin’s carved pumpkin and smashed it on the ground. Kevin was shocked and hurt, but he whispered, “I just wanted to help,” before running home.
That night, Kevin put on his vampire costume, but he couldn’t enjoy Halloween. He was worried about Mrs. Kimbly’s house being pranked. So, he returned to her house and sat on her porch, handing out candy from his own bag to trick-or-treaters, explaining that Mrs. Kimbly wasn’t home.
As he sat alone, the door creaked open. Mrs. Kimbly stepped out, her expression softer this time.
“What are you doing here, Kevin?” she asked quietly.
“I didn’t want anyone to mess with your house,” Kevin explained. “I thought I could help.”
Mrs. Kimbly sighed and sat beside him. She admitted that Halloween was hard for her because it reminded her of how alone she was. She had no family to share it with.
Kevin understood now. “You don’t have to be alone,” he said. “You can celebrate with the rest of us.”
Mrs. Kimbly smiled sadly and thanked Kevin for his kindness. She even apologized for smashing his pumpkin. Kevin promised to bring another one so they could carve it together.
For the first time in years, Mrs. Kimbly felt the warmth of Halloween again, thanks to the caring heart of one determined boy.
She Played Timmy’s Mom on “Lassie.” See this legendary actress now at 98.
June Lockhart is beloved for her roles as iconic TV moms, but her career, which spans nine decades, includes much more. She starred on “Lassie” from 1958 to 1964 as Ruth Martin, Timmy’s mother (played by Jon Provost), who was Lassie’s companion.
From 1965 to 1968, she played Dr. Maureen Robinson, the family matriarch on “Lost in Space.” Lockhart’s career has continued with many other projects, and she’s also a mother and grandmother.
Extensive Television Career
Beyond “Lassie” and “Lost in Space,” Lockhart appeared in series like “Bewitched,” “Petticoat Junction,” “Magnum, P.I.,” “Step by Step,” and “Beverly Hills, 90210.”
She also appeared in nearly 40 episodes of “General Hospital.” Her more recent work includes a 2006 episode of “Grey’s Anatomy,” the TV movie “Holiday in Handcuffs” (2006), and the 2016 film “The Remake.”
Stage Success and NASA Involvement
Lockhart has also made her mark on stage, receiving the Tony Award for Outstanding Performance by a Newcomer in 1948 for “For Love or Money.”
Her interest in space exploration is personal as well as professional. A longtime NASA supporter, she was honored with the Exceptional Public Achievement Medal in 2013 for her work with the agency.
Lockhart has been involved with NASA since the 1970s, attending space shuttle launches, addressing employees, and promoting the agency.
Personal Life and Family Traditions
Lockhart has been married twice. She was married to John F. Maloney from 1951 to 1959, and they had two children, June Elizabeth and Anne Lockhart, who is also an actor. She married John Lindsay in 1959, and they divorced in 1970.
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