Rebekah+I’s+OpEd+Article


 * Rebekah Israel and the Never Ending Adventures of Peter Pan**

Ahhh, childhood- the greatest time in a person's life. When we were given forever, time was not kept, and the world was our kingdom. Mystery and adventure hung around every corner, imagination and creativity flowed out of every lost crevice. The abundant escapades were never disapointing and we never seemed to lack a sense of ingenuity. Childhood was Peter Pan, fighting against the evil Captain Hook and heading out on adventures with the Lost Boys. Childhood was never wanting to grow up.

Unfortunately, for most of us, childhood is temporary. Somewhere in this mixed up world, we lose our innocence and curiosity, and we become boring and emotionless. Things that were once noble and inspiring, become depressing and dreary. Society forces us to become like the rest of the world and the spontaneity and adventure that we once possesed become lost among the chaos. Time is kept, life is limited, and the world is a scary place that we all just happen to exist upon. Peter Pan becomes a silly boy that needed to grow up. We become Captain Hooks, a character that we once despised. Our dreams get lost and child like characteristics become strange and innapropriate. At a certain age the world just expects us to grow up and if you do not live up to those expectations, people suspect that you are crazy. GI Joes, baby dolls, hot wheels, legos, roller blades, and scooters gather dust in boxes in the garage. Juice boxes are not to be slurped and fruit roll ups are not to be wrapped around your finger. When the world beckons, we must listen. They speak those cold harsh words, "Tomorrow, you will begin your instruction with Aunt Millicent. It's time for you to grow up" and just like that... one day we are reading fairy tales and avoiding being swallowed bythe evil bath tub and the next we are expected to become adults.

Childhood should never be lost or taken away. Peter Pan should forever be a child, along with the rest of the world. People can grow old, but our sense of adventure, curiosity, imagination, mystery and creativity should never have to. Captain Hook should always be an evil villan and we should never be expected to completely mature. Childhood is not silly or inappropriate, but it is something remarkable and indespensible. Adventures should never end, imagination should never fail, dreams should never be lost, and childhood should live forever.