The idea of Neverland was always a thrill. A place where you never had to grow up. Somewhere you could stay young and playful, in both body and mind. Where the sky was the limit, and all you had to do was think happy thoughts. Somewhere up in the sky, the second star to the right and straight on 'til midnight. Where adults were the enemy, always trying to ruin the fun. You’d have Peter Pan, Wendy, Tinkerbell and The Lost Boys by your side at all times to protect you from Capitan James Hook and all his hooligans aboard The Jolly Roger.
You could play hide and seek with the Red Face Indians, who get their color from an ancient kiss. You could swim with the mermaids at Mermaid Lagoon, but you better be careful, if they get too jealous they might try to drown you. You could fly with the Fairies in Pixie Hollow, but don’t you EVER say “I don’t believe in fairies” because every time you do, the fairy closest to you dies. Neverland gave children of all ages hope that they could be a kid forever. Forever to explore while seeing extraordinary things for the first time, and knowing that it didn’t have to be the last. You’d become part of a family in Neverland, and although you are not blood-related you are closer than anyone could imagine.
The thing about Neverland, though, is it was just a story made up to give kids hope. When I was younger, I would leave my window open. Hoping that by some slim chance, Peter would come in and take me away to Neverland. As I grew older, I started to close my window, but I would never lock it. What if Peter finally made his appearance and he received a locked window? If I was him, I would find another home instead. Unfortunately, around the time of my 16 birthday, all the hope I had for him to take me off to Neverland was gone. Besides, I wasn’t a kid anymore, I was starting to become a grown up. And adults are the enemy, remember?
Growing up hasn’t been all fun and games, I haven't gotten to play hide and seek with Indians, or swim with Mermaids. I never learned how to fight off Pirates with a sword, and I never had the chance to fly with fairies. It’s a lot tougher than we could ever imagine when we’re young. We pray to grow up so we have the freedom we feel we deserve. We rebel against the adults because “they don’t remember what it was like to be young,” and are ruining all our fun.
Life isn’t Neverland, though. It’s not all fun and games. We are not free to do anything we want to. There are limitations that stand in our way and challenges we come to face. One thing Neverland has taught us, though, is if you keep a positive mind, you can do just about anything you put your mind to. And yes, that does mean flying, as long as you get on a plane!
