Thought for the Week
…is to fly away to Neverland. Yes, it’s my birthday, but I’m far too clever to simply tell you that. So, what’s on my mind? Family? Always. Food? Always. But mostly I’m thinking about aging.
Did you ever suddenly realize, “Wait, I haven’t ‘turned’ ____ years-old, I’ve finished being ____ years-old, and have actually started being even more years-old!” We always think about our age when we have a birthday. But our perspective changes.
- At age 5, we think, “Yay, I’m a big kid!
- At age 13, we think, “Hey, I’m a teenager!”
- At age 18, we think, “I’m finally an adult!
- At age 30, we think, “Whoa, I’m old! (Hah, just you wait, padawan.)
- At age 40, we think, “I’m middle-aged!”
- At age 50, we think, “I’m even more middle-aged!”
- At age 60, we think, “I’m really, really middle-aged!
In the final scene of Peter Pan, Peter, the perpetual youth, visits Wendy, expecting her to fly away with him to Neverland. But Wendy tells him she can’t go. Why? Because she’s too old, she’s “ever so much more than twenty.”
The truth is, I’m chronologically closer to “Old Wendy” than the eternal boy Peter. Yet if I’ve learned anything over the years it’s this: While our bodies may become Old Wendys, our hearts and spirits can remain perpetual youths.
If we let them.
If we retain the spirit of play and imagination. Of gratitude (regardless of the challenges we face) for this miraculous gift of life. And most importantly, of love for the One who breathed this thing we call us into us. We can remain forever young. Neverland can be foreverland!
So, what do you say?
Want to fly away with me?
I sure do, Mitch. Happy birthday!🎂
Thanks, Sandy!
Happy birthday, Mitch. Stay young at heart. Love and blessings to you!
Thank you so much, Hazel.
You’re most welcome, Mitch. Stay amazing!
Aw, thank you, Hazel.
Happy Birthday! If 60 is middle age, I wonder what age Old is considered.
Sorry, I’m not familiar with that term, Venus. ;>)
Happy 70th (i think)? to one of my Favorite writers!
Why, thank you, my Anonymous friend!
Happy Birthday! That’s a great perspective on life. It hit some honest points. And you’re 100% right about mind frame determining your age. There’s elders that live life much more fulfilling than your average young adult.
Very true, AJ.
🎂Happy middle-aged Birthday!🎂 (And amen.)
Thanks, Carol. ;>)
Happy Birthday!!!!!! 생신 축하드려요! 🎂🎉🥳🎈
Thank you, Migy!
I totally agree, and of course Happy Birthday. To me the most special day of the year as it’s the ne celebration you don’t get to share to anyone 😉and at the end of the day …. it’s just a number😎🎂
True, Ortensia.
Happy Birthday!
Thanks, Maja!
Happy birthday, Mitch!
Thanks, Loku!
Happiest of Birthdays! I love all of this. My mind and my body are definitely not the same age.
Thank you, Shiroma.
Happy Birthday, Mitch.
Thanks, Manu.
Happy birthday, Mitch from a fellow “Lost Boy” who has, nevertheless and thankfully, been found.
Amen to that, my Anonymous friend.
Happy birthday! And yeah, around here, if a Peter Pan type showed up offering to a way to Neverland or some random portal opened to a fantasy realm, it’s pretty much taken as a given that I would go lol
;>)
Since my surgery I’m feeling much younger than I did before. Age is just a number. It’s what’s in the heart and mind that matter. Even old bodies can be fixed as I’ve learned.
I agree, and so happy to hear that, Susanne.
Think happy thoughts, and you can fly! God bless! Happy birthday!
Thanks, Nancy!
Happy Birthday Mitch. Best to you and enjoy your “Forever Land” right here and right now. Some may say that the best is yet to come. Indeed…
Peace and Blessings my friend,
“Jeph”
And the same to, old buddy! <3
Happy Belated Birthday, Mitch. 🪴
Thank you, Andi!
Happy Birthday a day late! May you always be young at heart.
Thank you, and likewise, Susan.
Age gracefully Mitch 🧡. My birthday is months away but reality is starting to kick in so much
You look WAY too young to be worried about reality, Viona. <3
Well yes but time waits for no man
True enough, Viona.
Happy belated 💚🧚🏻🎉
Thanks! (Afraid I don’t know your name.)
Happy Belated Birthday, Mitch. Wishing you all the best in the year ahead.
Thank you so much, Carla.
Belated birthday wish to you, Mitch – Mine was on the 14th May, also.
I’m sure you had fun.
I did. And likewise, I hope, Oshin. (Did I get your name right?)
✅️
Correct . . . I did, too.