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?
Happy Birthday. No matter what age, do what makes you happy. 🙂
Thank you, Jeanne.
You are very welcome Mitch. 🙂
Happy Birthday! Just keep the kid in you alive. I was once inspired to write a poem titled Peter Pan Grows Up. He had married Wendy, they had kids, and made a return trip to Neverland,
Sounds fun, Rasma. And thank you!
Happy Birthday, Mitch!
Thanks, Scott!
Happy birthday, Mitch!
Thanks, Alex!
Happy Birthday, Mitch. Cheers to another year of wonderful adventures! 🎉🌷
Thank you, Iman!
Funny. I have to admit it was a bit jarring to become extremely middle-aged.
;>)
Yes, I’m with you-having a brain that is perpetually young regardless of an aging body is a good mindset. Praise God for the opportunity to achieve advanced age! 🙂
Mitch hope all is well. The link you had for the song Forever Young was to Bob Dylan who wrote it. My favorite of his ties into your theme Knocking on Heaven’s Door. Sometime listen to the Alphaville version of Forever Young.
Brad
I thought about posting the link to Alphaville’s version, Brad, but am sort of partial to Bob’s. And thank you.
Growing old is unavoidable. Growing UP is optional.
Exactly, Steven!
Well okay, this octogenarian is game! #aginggratefully
Enjoy your birthday. Praying for your impending surgery!
Thank you, dear Joy.
Happy Birthday, Mitch! 💕
Thank you, Kirsten!
Happy birthday!
Thanks, Kymber!
Happiest of birthdays, my friend. Being much older of body, getting started where you are might be difficult, but I would love to fly with you in spirit and with the Spirit! 🙏🧁✝️🇨🇦
Thanks, Gail!
Happy birthday, Mitch!
From an extremely young 58-year-old
Stay young, my friend!
Happy birthday 🙂
Thank you, Martine.
Happy birthday!
Thanks, Tracy!
Happy Birthday, Mitch! Safe travels on that flight. 😂🤣😆
;>) Thanks, trE.
You’re most welcome!
Happy Birthday Mitch! God bless you today and always!
Thank you so much, Frank!
happy birthday! here’s another good one: “You just think lovely wonderful thoughts,” Peter explained, “and they lift you up in the air.” ― J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
A good one indeed, Ren.
Happy Birthday, Mitch. So, we are both Tauruses 👍
As in bull-headed? ;>) Thanks, Erika.
Oh, yes, for sure 😂
Buon compleanno, meglio restare tutti un pò Peter Pan 🌹🌹
È davvero così, Paola.
💖🌹
happy birthday!!
Thanks, Beth!!
Happy Birthday.
Thank you, Sweta.
Happy birthday, and many more!
Thank you, Sandy!
https://pacificparatrooper.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/animated-happy-birthday-banner-spinning.gif
!!!
Happy birthday! Age is just a big number.
“Big?” ;>)
Happy Birthday, Mitch!
Thank you, Mags!
Here’s to another fabulous trip around the sun, Mitch. I hope you have a very happy birthday! 🎂💫
Thank you, Nancy!
Most welcome, Mitch! 🌟
happy birthday mitch & where are you cora
Thank you, Rudy.
P.S. I don’t think Cora sees the notes you’re leaving.
she must be busy since i left her a message
Happy birthday!
Thank you, Anonymous friend.
Hope you have a great birthday Mitch. Safe flying. Watch for annoying tree branches and low flying aircraft. Catch a nice breeze and see where it takes you. Neverland can’t be too far away. Sounds like a blast!
“Third star to the right, and straight on ’til morning.”
Happy Birthday! Is a gift of pixie dust at hand?
Always.
Happy Birthday
Thanks, L.G.
Have a great day and I hope you get everything you want today ❤️
Thank you!
Happy birthday, Mitch!
Thank you!
Happy birthday Mitch, hope it’s a good one!
Thanks, Sarah!
Happy Birthday, Mitch! Maybe when we reach a certain age we can begin counting backwards? 🤣
;>)
Happy birthday, Mitch! And thank you for all you do to keep us young-at-heart here at your blog. Your posts that celebrate playfulness, imagination, and gratitude all contribute. I’d add humor to the list too, since laughter is good for us, and you serve up plenty of that as well!
Aw, bless you, Nancy!
Happy birthday! Thanks again for your kind words about Molly, my little corgi!
Of course, Kathy, and thank you!
Happy birthday, Mitch! I LOVE your message here! Yes, I want to fly, too!
Happy birthday! Always stay young!
Thank you, I will, Vanya!
Enjoy your day!!🎂🎊🎁 Happy Birthday!
Thank you, MLM!
Wishing you a happy and blessed birthday!
–Scott
Thank you, Scott!
Happy and blessed birthday! Forever young at heart.
Thank you, San, and amen.
Happy birthday my Cincinnati friend. Heaven gets sweeter and more inviting as another friend who was a missionary, who had been married to her missionary husband of 66 years, went Home last week. He had preceded her only in December and she was longing to see Jesus and Jerry.
I think I’m only a few years ahead of you, but I’m ready any time He wants.🤠
This is just the foyer, right, C.A.? An infinite mansion awaits!
Happy Birthday!
Thank you!
Neverland – Foreverland. I’m in, Mitch! Happy Birthday!
Your list only went to 60. I just turned 70; I’m past the middle for sure! But my inner child is twelve, so that 70 number is completely foreign to me.
Hope you had a wonderful day! Stay young!
Thank you, and I know just what you mean, Maddie.
Happy birthday! Gratitude is the best means of aging gracefully.
It is indeed, Bob.
Happy, Happy Birthday!!!
Thank you, Chandra!
Beautifully expressed. It was my brother’s birthday today as well. Happy birthday 🎈🎉🎂🎁🥂
Wait–someone else was born on this date?! ;>)
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.