hey Peter Pan,

does growing up ever scare you?

oh wait-

nevermind.

actually...

do you ever wonder how life would be like if you started aging? and you couldn't fly? and, well, you were a normal human being?

like me?

would you be scared of adulthood?

would you fear growing up? and becoming like all those other adults?

those other adults with their mundane lives and heartless souls? pessimistic views and boring jobs?

would you be scared of having to be all grown up one day and leave your childhood behind? scared of having to leave all your adventures and dreams and aspirations behind?

and enter a world full of enemies and darkness and no fun?

would you wish that you could forever remain in the world we are in right now, our childhood, filled with laughs, happiness and hope?

would you be scared to let it all go? and enter adulthood?

'cuz i am.

i don't want things to change. i don't want to change. i want to remain as i am, and never grow up.

like you.

you know, i've always been jealous of you, and your ability to fly. but right now, i'm jealous of how you never have to age, and face the horrors of the adult world. i envy that. a lot.

the world is a dark, scary place. but you get to remain living life as a child and laugh your way through it all. you're forever young and never have to face the responsibilities life bestows upon one once they are older.

you're lucky.

unlike me.

adulthood has always been a scary place for me, and now as i realise that i'm slowly aging and growing older every passing second, i fear the day that i will have to enter that world.

almost all of my friends are excited to grow up, and live their own lives and pave their own way in life. but i always wonder, "how they could possibly think that when we live in such a world where all of our actions are based on what others think? on what others want us to do?".

how could we possibly think that adulthood will be easy? the tons of responsibilities, pressure and daily stress must be tiring.

i truly do wonder how my parents do it, and yet still maintain a smile on their face everyday. they deserve an applause, really. my parents are amazing. they are strong, positive, and hard working.

adults aren't scary, it's just adulthood that is.

and i know that i will one day have to become an adult, but, maybe, just maybe, i won't have to leave my childhood behind.

i'll be a child in an adult's body.

yeah. yes.

i will.

i'll remain as the optimistic, curious girl i am right now, and i'll grow as a person.

i'll learn to overcome the problems in life and never let it change my positive outlook on life.

i'll make sure that nothing ever dims the light in my big curious eyes and that i always see the wonder in the world.

i'll do what i like. i won't get a random boring job just because it's a good job. no, i'll get a job that i have a passion for.

i'll be happy.

yeah.

Thank you, Peter, for opening my eyes - even if you never intended to - and helping me see that maybe adulthood isn't that scary, if i just make sure to remain a child at heart.

love,
Wendy

P.S. I miss you.

• • •

my entry for @walkingecho's "Letters to Dom" special contest