The final dose came when I watched the movie “Finding Neverland” with Johnny Depp. This story is a magical tale about one of the world’s greatest storytellers, James M. Barrie, and his inspirations for his masterpiece “Peter Pan." I highly recommend this family-friendly enchanting film.

After being consumed by Peter Pan, it is difficult to avoid life lessons that emerge from this fantasy tale. The first lesson involves the desire to hold on to youth – to never grow up. Peter Pan’s arch enemy is Captain Hook. In most cases, the actor who portrays Captain Hook has a dual role and also plays Mr. Darling – Wendy’s overbearing, rigid father. Peter Pan battles Captain Hook in a symbolic attempt to fight for his youth and hold onto innocence. This theme was important to author James Barrie who lost an older brother when he was a child. In the movie “Finding Neverland” two quotes further emphasize this theme. The first, “Young boys should never be sent to bed... they always wake up a day older” followed by, “I suppose it's like the ticking crocodile, isn't it? Time is chasing after all of us, isn't that right?” However, Wendy’s character defends growing-up. She chooses to leave NeverLand and return home so she can become a mother. She fails to convince Peter that growing-up does not have to be an end to childhood joy.

The larger lesson is that we should always maintain a sense of childhood wonder. That we never lose our sense of adventure. That we can return to a place of innocence and have moments of childhood delight. Although Wendy makes the decision to sacrifice her youth, she never loses her memory of NeverLand and shares her stories with her children so that they can also appreciate fairies.

The other lesson I learned is overcoming the impossible. Peter’s attempt to teach the Darling children how to fly included this message, “All it takes is faith and trust, and a little bit of pixie dust." I believe that Hope is the pixie dust that provides the magic to make wishes come true. Often, the realities of responsibility prevent many of us from pursuing our hearts’ destiny. I think the greatest gift we can give our children is the Pixie Dust of hope they need in order to fulfill their dreams.

“So come with me where dreams are born, and time is never planned. Just think of happy things and your heart will fly on wings, forever in Neverland.”