A Spoonful of Sugar

Do you know who the person is in the picture to the left? If you don't know, I truly believe you missed a wonderful, enchanting story that every child should know. True - the movie was filmed back in 1964, a mere forty-five years ago... but it is timeless. The story I'm referring to is the story of Mary Poppins, originally written by Pamela Travers. The Walt Disney movie contains characters and events that were not in the book, that definitely create the wonderful whimsey that IS Mary Poppins. I believe half of what made Mary Poppins so wonderful is Julie Andrews. Julie Andrews is also the reason I love The Sound of Music. The other reason Mary Poppins is so wonderful is Dick Van Dyke. The two of them make a wonderful pair! Here is Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins...

Mary Poppins fills your head with magical ideas like jumping into the landscape of a sidewalk drawing, flying through the air with an umbrella, and dancing atop houses with a crew of chimney sweeps. She pulls entire living rooms out of her little black bag and cures all illnesses with just a spoonful of sugar! Mary Poppins takes imagination seriously. One of my favorite lullabies is the song, "Stay Awake"

'Stay awake, don't rest your head
Don't lie down upon your bed
While the moon drifts in the skies
Stay awake, don't close your eyes
Though the world is fast asleep
Though your pillow's soft and deep
You're not sleepy as you seem
Stay awake, don't nod and dream
Stay awake, don't nod and dream'

I'm going to see Mary Poppins, the musical, this week, courtesy of a birthday present from one of my best girlfriends. I can't wait to hear all the old familiar songs, "Let's Go Fly a Kite" and "Chim Chim Cheroo". I'll tell Mary Poppins hello for you!