The Calvary has Arrived
“Close your eyes, girls. Buzzy has a surprise!”
There I stood with two pink unicorns hidden behind my back, waiting for Emery and Autumn to open their eyes. I could hardly contain my excitement because I had a feeling these weren't going to be just another pair of toys. Oh no, these two magical creatures were about to become the newest members of our very own cavalry!
If you've been following my blog, you may remember a story I shared earlier this year about slaying dragons with my granddaughters. Our backyard has become a magical kingdom where dragons roam, sticks become powerful wands, and a secret hideout serves as our castle. We've spent countless hours protecting our kingdom, chasing away dragons, and creating adventures that seem to grow more elaborate each time the girls visit.
Well, I decided our little dragon slayers needed some transportation. After all, what respectable dragon slaying team doesn't have its own cavalry?
When the girls opened their eyes and saw their new unicorns, their excitement was absolutely priceless. Both were pink, complete with fluffy manes, and each had a special button on its ear. Press the button and you'd hear a magical sound followed by the clip clop of galloping hooves. How fun is that? Suddenly, our backyard adventures had a soundtrack!
Emery immediately understood the assignment. She knew exactly what to do with her new unicorn, how to ride it, and how to make those magical sounds. She even gave hers a name, although for the life of me I can't remember what it was. Autumn, being younger, wasn't quite sure what all this naming business was about, but she certainly understood that she had a unicorn of her very own.
And just like that, the adventures began.
One of the things I love most about watching my granddaughters together is seeing their relationship unfold. Emery, being the older sister, naturally takes the lead much of the time. Autumn watches her closely, eager to do whatever her big sister is doing. But what touches my heart is that Emery doesn't simply race off on her own adventures. She makes sure Autumn knows how to come along.
I watched as Emery showed her little sister how to ride her unicorn and where to find the button that made those wonderful sounds. She patiently helped Autumn figure things out, making sure she could enjoy the same magical experience. There was no grand announcement about being a good big sister. Emery was simply doing what came naturally to her, sharing what she knew with someone she loves.
Before long, the girls had settled beneath one of the trees in the backyard, their unicorns close by. I couldn't hear everything they were saying, but it was obvious they were deep in conversation about something important in their imaginary world. I love watching those moments when children become so completely absorbed in their play that the rest of the world seems to disappear.
And then, as often happens in our kingdom, there was a bit of drama.
Apparently, Autumn's unicorn had eaten some berries that made it sick.
Oh boy!
Our newest member of the cavalry was now in need of medical attention. The unicorn had to go to the doctor, and suddenly our dragon slaying adventure had turned into a medical emergency.
What happened next was one of the sweetest moments of the day.
Autumn wasn't about to abandon her sick unicorn. While Emery helped with the situation, Autumn stayed right beside her horse, hugging it and comforting it. At one point, she was curled up next to its soft pink head beneath the tree, holding it close as though her love alone might help it feel better.
My heart just melted.
There was something so tender about watching her care for that little unicorn. In her world, the horse was sick, and it needed her. She wasn't concerned about getting back to the dragons or galloping off on another adventure. At that moment, her unicorn needed comfort, and she was going to stay right there and provide it.
And that's when I found myself thinking about the beautiful lessons unfolding right before my eyes.
We often think of play as something children do simply to have fun. And of course, it is fun! But there's so much more happening beneath the surface.
Through their imaginary adventures, children are learning how to navigate the world around them. They're discovering how to solve problems, express feelings, make decisions, and care for others. They're practicing life in a world where they can create the rules, change the story, and imagine endless possibilities.
Emery was learning what it means to guide and encourage someone. She was showing patience as she helped her little sister understand something new. Autumn, meanwhile, was discovering her own voice within their shared adventure. She might follow Emery's lead much of the time, but she also has her own ideas, and on this particular day, caring for her sick unicorn was at the top of her list.
Two little girls, each expressing love in her own way.
One through helping and teaching.
The other through tenderness and comfort.
And neither needed a lesson from Buzzy about how to do it.
I think there's something especially beautiful about the bond between sisters. It's a relationship that begins long before either one fully understands what it means. There will undoubtedly be disagreements, hurt feelings, and moments when they don't see eye to eye. That's simply part of growing up together.
But there will also be countless opportunities to learn from one another, encourage each other, and discover that having someone by your side can make life's adventures a little less frightening and a whole lot more fun.
I hope Emery always remembers that being the older sister doesn't mean she has to have all the answers. Sometimes it simply means being willing to show the way. And I hope Autumn continues to discover that while she can learn so much from her big sister, her own ideas, feelings, and imagination are just as important.
As for me, I'm grateful for the opportunity to witness these moments. I don't need to direct every adventure or decide what happens next. Sometimes my greatest joy comes from sitting back and watching the magic unfold, listening to their conversations, and marveling at the wonderful little people they're becoming.
I may have purchased two unicorns on sticks, but what I really brought home was another invitation into their imaginary world. A world where dragons can be chased away with magical wands, unicorns can gallop across the backyard, and a sick horse can receive the very best care from a little girl with a tender heart.
And perhaps there's a lesson for us grownups in all of this, too. We can get so caught up in the responsibilities of everyday life that we forget the value of imagination, playfulness, and simply being present with the people we love. We don't always need an elaborate plan or an expensive adventure to create something meaningful. Sometimes all it takes is a backyard, a little creativity, and the willingness to enter someone else's world.
That afternoon, as I watched Emery helping Autumn and Autumn lovingly comforting her unicorn, I realized I was witnessing something far more precious than a game of make believe. I was watching two sisters strengthen a bond that I hope will carry them through a lifetime of adventures. They'll each have their own paths to follow, their own dragons to face, and their own moments when they need a little extra love. But how wonderful to know they may always have someone beside them, ready to offer a helping hand or a comforting hug.
And if they happen to need a little backup along the way, well, Buzzy has already made sure they're prepared. Because the calvary has arrived!
xo, Sheryl
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