Once Upon

Oh, I must admit the truth.

I didn’t want “Once Upon A Time” to end. I loved all the fairy tales that filled my childhood with princes, queens, fairies, and leprechauns, some evil but charming. I waited in vain for my hair to grow as long as Repunzel’s, but never stopped dreaming it might one day

I was reluctant to cross the bridge to adolescence, but my wise Mother gave me a not so gentle push when she found me an after school job.

Much later in life I realized she was not only a wise woman but an astute mother determined her daughter would grow up, reluctant or not,

However, today trying to digest the news that ricochets from the internet I realized something quite different with a sad pang,

“Once Upon A Time” has returned without the fantasy of castles and gnomes, but wishful thinking,

I try to remember when “Once Upon A Time” no one dared to destroy inventory in open daylight or victimize store owners or frightened clerks.

Walmart was a welcome addition to many suburban neighborhoods “Once Upon A Time.”. Now the once mighty giant is closing stores in rapid succession.

Twenty odd years ago I discovered Target in my neighborhood. It was a delightful Mecca of favorite items. Now they, too, are closing due to current conditions.

The saga of what occurred in Philadelphia, the home of the Liberty Bell, this month evoked emotions in all who still remember “Once Upon A Time.” Philadelphia was once the destination for school trips and the traditional Army Navy game.

Sadly today the stories about Philadelphia fall more into the category of nightmares rather than fairytales.

But I am beginning to doubt that “Once Upon A Time” can or will return,

or who remembers and might want it again.

Or is it too late?