Do you ever watch something as an adult that you loved as a kid and wonder what in the world you loved about it?
Or the opposite … you see something from back in the day and it touches your heart all over again.
Timeless stories are like that, I suppose.
One of my favorite stories is Peter Pan. Call it a bit of an obsession. I’ve read the book, seen the different versions of the movies, musicals, read the biographies of J.M. Barrie — the works. Never the play — live action. Just never made it that far.
Until this past week.
It was magical.
and it made me wonder … why do people respond to Peter Pan? What is it about this piece of literature that makes us return to the story of a boy who never wants to grow up?
It makes us wonder, and remember, and forget all at the same time. We allow ourselves to escape reality for a few minutes, to experience the magical world where innocence reigns. Our inner child is summoned through the spirit of Peter Pan and able to take a few breaths to re-establish our own innocence for a few more moments in this crazy world.
I think Stephanie J. Block sums it up best in this song from the musical, “Piece”. This is why never land is important:
What things from your past continue to captivate you?
Stepanana's Stumbles 