Over the Hill on the Yellow Brick Road, I noticed a fading, flickering light in the distance. As a fan of fairy tales, I knew who it was right away. Tinker Bell! From the story of Peter Pan! I remembered her light faded the same way during her story, when Captain Hook poisoned Peter Pan’s medicine and Tinker Bell drank it to save Peter’s life. After that, children everywhere clapped their hands to voice their belief in fairies…and Tinker Bell came alive So, why was she fading again? I rushed over and cried, “Excuse me, Tinker Bell. I’m not the paparazzi. I’m a loyal fan. Why are you flickering? What’s wrong?!” She answered in a weak, faint voice:
TINKER BELL: I flew Over the Hill on the Yellow Brick Road to rekindle my spirit, but it isn’t working. I’m dying.
You can’t die! How did this happen? Did you drink Peter’s poisoned medicine again?
TINKER BELL: No. The situation is quite different this time. You see, after all these years, Peter has stayed young as he was meant to. But I have aged. I’m ever so much more than 110.
But you’re a fairy! Maybe you can live longer! Why is your spirit dying?
TINKER BELL: Because I’m not useful to Peter anymore. Do you remember our story? We appear outside children’s bedroom windows at bedtime and fly them to Neverland.
Of course I remember your story! I was always waiting for you!
TINKER BELL: Well, my eyesight isn’t what it used to be. I can’t fly in the dark as well anymore.
So? You’re not alone. I can’t drive at night as well as I used to.
TNKER BELL: I appreciate your kind words. But that isn’t the only problem. You see, I always carry fairy dust to help children fly. But these days, I can no longer carry it. The weight of all that fairy dust throws my back out.
I have back issues too. But that’s no reason to give up on everything in older age. Can’t you try to adjust? That’s what everyone else does.
TINKER BELL: How?
Well, as long as we’re on the subject, I’ll blurt out something that has bothered me about the story of Peter Pan for decades. It might help.
TINKER BELL: Go ahead. I fear I’m almost dead anyway.
Stop saying that! Listen to me! Every time I read the story of Peter Pan, I feel it’s unfair that only children get to fly to Neverland. What about adults, like me, who will always be young at heart? Why can’t we go too?
TINKER BELL: That is an excellent question. I’d like to fly you to Neverland myself, but as I told, you, I don’t see as well at night anymore. I muddle through it with Peter, but I don’t think I can add extra excursions.
You’re missing the point. I can’t see as well at night either, so I’d be happier flying to Neverland during the day! I bet others who are young at heart would say the same thing.
TINKER BELL: Hmmm…perhaps I could manage that. But what about the fairy dust? I can’t carry it.
I’ve got that figured out too. When you decide which bedroom window you’d like to visit, go ahead and order fairy dust from amazon.com a few days in advance. Use their two-day delivery service with free shipping.
TINKER BELL: Hmmm….Tempting thought.
Yes! And that way, the fairy dust will be waiting for you on any bedroom windowsill as soon as you arrive there.
TINKER BELL: You know, I think this could work.
Yaaay!
TINKER BELL: But there’s one other thing I’ll need before I begin taking others on daytime trips to Neverland.
What’s that?
TINKER BELL: Heartfelt support to keep me alive.
What do you mean?
TINKER BELL: I’ll explain. As you recall, in my story, when I drank Peter’s poisoned medicine and almost died, Peter asked children everywhere to clap their hands to prove they believed in fairies.
I remember I clapped so loudly, my hands almost fell off.
TINKER BELL: That was you? Oh thank you. Anyway, now I must ask all those who will always be young at heart to clap for me again, and chant: “I believe in older fairies. I believe in older fairies.”
I’m in. And…everyone reading this post who feels the way I do, please, please clap your hands and chant along with me: “I believe in older fairies! I believe in older fairies! I believe in older fairies! I believe in older fairies!!!!!”
____________________________________________________________________________________________
I’d like to extend a huge, heartfelt thank you to all those who clapped and chanted. We brought Tinker Bell back to life. From this day forward, please listen for a light tapping on your bedroom window. Yes, it might be a woodpecker. But you never know. It might also be Tinker Bell, waiting to fly you to Neverland.
Copyrightoverthehillontheyellowbrickroad2018
Thank you for the magical read this morning! I love Tinker Bell, so does my youngest daughter. I’m clapping for TB and for you and your fun post!! Enjoy your magical weekend.
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Thank you! Same to you! And I hope Tinker Bell comes your way. I’m sure you’re on her list.
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I am ordering fairy dust right away. Please pass on the message to TB. Can’t wait to hear that tap at the window. I believe in older fairies …….I do!
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Me too me too me too! If Tinker Bell comes your way, please tell her to stop by my house after yours! 🙂
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Long live Tinker Bell! And our healthy selves.
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Amen!!!!
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Stopped clapping only long enough to type this message. Amazon gives two day shipping of fairy dust even here in Canada so I’m in!
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Ha ha! I hope we all don’t put Tinker Bell on overload. She’ll need to hire a personal assistant to line up her daytime Neverland visit schedule.
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I clapped and I chanted – now I’m waiting! 😉 Lovely post, Cathi! I always loved Peter Pan, read the book of course and watched every movie – even the very first one which was awesome by the way. Thanks for bringing back those memories! 💖
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I love the story of Peter Pan, too. It’s actually my favorite…along with The Velveteen Rabbit.
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Okaay, I’m clapping as loud as I can, but, pleeaasse, don’t get Amazon involved in our joint-venture.
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No worries Rosaliene! I was just kidding about amazon.com. I was using it as a funny, online example. Tinker Bell seems savvy enough, I’m sure she’ll figure out how to order fairy dust from her store of choice. in Neverland. Hope she stops by soon. 🙂
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I clapped 😊 beautiful story Cathi 💕
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I KNEW you would clap, Elaine! I just knew it! 🙂
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I’m predictable lol 😝
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In a great way!
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😉
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I love everything you write. It is brilliant. You can capture everything about aging in such a unique way. Are you putting all your writings together into a book? I think it would make a marvelous gift.
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Ah, I deeply, deeply appreciate your kind words. And, believe it or not, I just wrote a book which is a collection of about thirty of these posts combined into a story. It’s selling on Amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. I think it would make a great gift, too. Here’s the link:
https://overthehillontheyellowbrickroad.com/2018/05/12/conversation-with-my-book-resisting-physical-changes-in-older-age/
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thanks!
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I may never stop clapping…Tinker Bell lives in my heart forever and on my dresser in porcelain too, never mind the Madame Alexander dolls! My arthritic fingers may tire, but my still beating heart pushes them on. There may be wrinkles on my face, but never in my mind. I believe in older fairies, forever! Thank-you!
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Oh! I love what you just wrote!!!! If Tinker Bell does come, I hope she arrives at your house first!
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I knew you would believe in fairies too dear Ellen! 🙂
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Somehow Tinker Bell would have a hard time competing against all the violent videos that capture kids’ attention these days, instead of the idea of the more innocent escapes to Neverland. The world has changed and not much for the better. We definitely could use a big load of fairy dust.
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I agree. My heart breaks for all those gentle fairies–Tinker Bell, Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother, the Tooth Fairy, etc. They have a lot of harsh competition. Still, I believe sweetness, gentleness and kindness prevails….somehow.
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Sweetness, gentleness, and kindness are under siege, but I also believe they will prevail.
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🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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I never thought of Tinkerbell getting old. In my mind she will forever be young like I was when I first saw her.
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That’s wonderful. She’s a fairy. May she live on inside us all.
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Tink! Can you help me?!! I’m having a serious Senior Moment!!! Your interview reminds of this Disney song about something living in your heart . . . . I can only vaguely remember the chorus “cause when something something something lives in your heart . . .” I’m thinking it was sung by Jimminy Cricket? So sorry. My memory is awful. Can you remember? Anybody?
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I don’t know where Tink is at the moment, but I’ll try to respond for her. It sounds like the song Never Neverland that Mary Martin sang????
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More splendid philosophy – particularly pertinent for me at the moment 🙂
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Yes, I hope Tinker Bell stops at your window in the near future. You never know.
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🙂
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Whether or not Tink ever comes to my window I will always believe in her and in all other fairies. I believe Amazon Prime may be of help to her in ensuring that delivery of the fairy dust is as swift and timely as possible to the relevant window on a particular day. I found it very helpful when I ordered your book and knew exactly how many (few actually) sleeps I had before the little parcel of delight dropped into my rather tired looking mailbox. It perked up immediately and I have been sharing snippets with it each time I go to collect the mail ever since. Do you know something? The effect on us both, creaky and a little rusty as we both are, is really like a sprinkling of fairy dust 😊
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Oh my goodness! You write so beautifully. Reading your comment was like reading a wonderful little fairy tale. I’m printing it and saving it. I love the little moments you’re having with your mailbox, and it makes me so incredibly happy that my book has brought a sprinkling of fairy dust into your life. YOU are the fairy dust in my life.
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You are far to kind. There will be formal reviews of the said tome when I have the time to do it justice but suffice to say that I know I will be purloining further copies because it honestly is a treasure! Happy Monday of Memorial to you fellow fairy duster!
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Happy Monday of Memorial Day to you too, my fairy duster friend! If you are inspired to write a short review, that would be incredible. It would mean the world to me because I know you understand the heart and soul behind the book. 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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I always review what I enjoy so I will – you might say, there is no escape!!! Vive les Fairy Duster femmes!
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Oui Oui!!!! 🙂
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Believe me, I’m clapping right along with you!
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I know! I can hear you clapping all the way in New York! Yaaaaay!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Count me in! I believe in older fairies!
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Yaaaaay! Older fairies are the best! Go Tinker Bell!
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You should SEE the look my cat is giving me, as I jump up and down clapping my hands and shouting. Just as well he runs—fairy dust makes him sneeze, and Tink ain’t no mouse bait!
See you on the dark side of the moon, second star on the right & straight on ’til morning! ❤
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Yaaay! I’m so happy we’re going to Neverland together! And I’m super impressed you know how to get there! I thought I was the only crazy who memorized the directions. 🙂 You’re ten times cooler than I already thought you were.
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i owe it all to my generation’s fantasy with Pink Floyd!
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Ha haaaa!
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Reblogged this on Dream Big, Dream Often.
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Thank you so very much for the reblog! That was so kind of you. It will also let many more people know about Tinker Bell’s potential arrival. Your reblog was for a worthy cause. LOL
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You are so welcome!!
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I believe Cathi 🙂 !! The older the better LOL
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Ha ha! I agree!
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I completely believe in older is better. TB can tap on the window anytime. I need a little fairy dust about now 💞😀
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I saw a woodpecker in my back yard yesterday who looked just like Woody, and so I do know the difference between him and my beloved Tinker Bell. Clapping up here in Maine for her and believing in older fairies! -Molly
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Yaaay Molly! I have to admit, I’m a little jealous. I’ve been clapping for days and have found no one and nothing yet. At least you saw a woodpecker. If I were Tinker Bell, I’d show up in Maine in a heartbeat. It’s a beautiful state!
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I believe in older fairies!👏👏👏 My daughter, the one who moved far away like yours, loved Peter Pan. She had a shirt that said “I don’t want to grow up”.
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Well, I think we have an opportunity here. We can both clap for Tinker Bell, and she can pick us both up at the same time, stop off to see our daughters, and then we can fly to Neverland. Works for me!
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Love, love, loved this post! Thank you for such a positive, heartfelt message! I needed to read this today! -Jill
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I know what you mean! Knowing Tinker Bell really might come someday adds a little flicker of hope. I’m so glad our heads are in the same place. 🙂
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I loved Peter Pan when I was a child. I used to “fly” around the house waiting for Peter to find me. I clapped my hands and chanted. Hope she comes to find me!
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Oh! I hope Tinker Bell comes to and finds you, too! When I was little, I used to sing the Peter Pan “Neverland” song and “I Won’t Grow Up” song all the time. Those are from a video with Mary Martin, before the Disney animated version. It was the best!
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You can bet you sweet bippy I’m clapping, dancing, twirling and loving the magical feeling of your mystical story carpet ride to Peter Pan Land!
💃🎶💃🎺🎶💕🎶🌟🎶🧚🏻♀️
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Yaaaay! Maybe it’s not a MYSTICAL story! Maybe Tinker Bell will really come! 🙂
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My granddaughter has a fairy door in her room! We believe! 🧚🏻♀️💕
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How wonderful! A fairy door! Now I want to make one, too! 🙂
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Me too!!
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I love the modern twist with the mention of Amazon and the scenario of Tinkerbell as an aging fairy. Very creative and insightful!
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Thanks so much, Maria! If Tinkerbell read your comment, she might be on your way to your house right now. Keep your windows open.
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Pingback: *Press it* Conversation With…Fading Tinker Bell…About believing in older fairies #35 | Its good to be crazy Sometimes
This was awesome!! Love it!! So glad I found your blog.
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I’m so glad to meet you! I’ll check out your blog very soon as well!
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Thanks , hope you enjoy it!
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What a great blog! Love your writing style and of course the content! So happy you gave Tink what she needed to continue to live her purpose. Brilliant! I clapped of course. I absolutely do believe! ❤
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Yaaay! So great to meet another older fairy believer! And I really appreciate all your kind words. Nice to meet you. 🙂
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I’ll be listening! A wonderful story, Cathi, proving once again, that age is just a number, and you are as young as you feel in your heart ❤
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Thanks Dorinda, my forever-young-at-heart friend!
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You’re welcome, Cathi! I’m still clapping 🙂
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Me too!
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Delightful. Simply Delightful! And how odd, I was just watching (actually, re-watching for the 1000th time) “Finding Neverland”. How very magical indeed. 🙂
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That movie is one of my favorites, too! I hope Tinker Bell flies us both to Neverland one day and I get to meet you. 🙂
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Beautiful!
🤗
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This post is one of my favorites. Thanks!
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You are welcome! 🤗☀️🤗
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