Jessica+Ahm’s+OpEd+Article



=// Oh darling, don't you ever grow up. //=

It was a time of simplicity. The most difficult decision made was what color to use next in your cherished Hello Kitty coloring book. When you would spent every waking moment outside, taking in all of nature that was your backyard. Baking cookies every Saturday night with your older siblings. Mix matching clothes that you thought were the next most wanted fashion item. Believing in Neverland because you were Tinkerbell for Halloween (even though you did not have her fair skin and blonde hair, in fact you were the exact opposite). "All it takes is faith, trust, and pixie dust."

My mom plays the same Taylor Swift song every single time we get into an argument.

"Your little hand's wrapped around my finger And it's so quiet in the world tonight Your little eyelids flutter cause you're dreaming So I tuck you in, turn on your favorite night light To you everything's funny, you got nothing to regret I'd give all I have, honey If you could stay like that

Oh darling, don't you ever grow up Don't you ever grow up, just stay this little Oh darling, don't you ever grow up Don't you ever grow up, it could stay this simple I won't let nobody hurt you, won't let no one break your heart And no one will desert you Just try to never grow up, never grow up"

In a blink of an eye. I'm sitting here. In my own room at 17. Already looking for jobs and colleges. It was almost as if I was forced to grow up quickly. It all happened so quickly and I didn't even realize it. "I'd give all I have honey, if you could stay like that." When I make a silly mistake or a witty remark; my mom almost, in a silent whisper to herself in her broken English accent. It is so odd to think that I have to think of all these adult things. As much as I try to avoid thinking about my parents growing older and knowing that they can't stay with me forever. Life will not be as simple as they made it for me to be. If only having faith, trust, and pixie dust could really solve all of life's problems then maybe the world would be a happier place. The world can be exactly like Neverland!

Neverland = never grow up. As I venture on into the abyss of adulthood I know I'll be faced with heartbreak, disappointments, and rough patches but I do know that no matter what I can look back at my childhood and remember that it was was molded me into the adult that I am. Growing up is unavoidable, we can all agree. But I'll still be as magical as Tinkerbell and heck, if I want to dress up like her when I'm 30 on Halloween, you better be damn sure I will! I'll always hold Neverland close to my heart, it'll always be a representation of my childhood. As much as I do not want to grow up, I know that my happiness will still be the same as when I was 5 because "all it takes is faith, trust, and pixie dust".