When I was about eight years old I read P.L. Travers's Mary Poppins for the first time and totally and hopelessly fell in love with the world it spread before me. I remember wanting to be part of the Banks family and their adventures so badly it was almost a physical ache. Having Mary Poppins arrive to our house with her parrot head umbrella and magical bag became my number one "need this to come true" thing. In my mind M.Poppins will always remain a creature of mythical proportions, an essential part of my happiest and most treasured moments in childhood. She is someone I will always miss but will not want to meet again for fear of our reunion being anything but joyous.