September 26

DRACONIA KEEP where Magic and Dreams Become Reality

September 26, 2006

Just How Lucky We Are... .

Last night proved to be enlightening. My neighbor and friend, "Sarah"** had called me the night before and asked me if she could bring her "Little Sister", Andrea**, over to meet the horses. Sarah is in the Big Sister/Little Sister program, and Andrea had never been seen a horse or other farm animals up close. Of course, I readily agreed.

Sarah and Andrea showed up around 5:30, and we walked out to the barn. Andrea is almost eleven years old, and she lives in the city with her dad and brother. Her mother lives about an hour or so away, and Andrea doesn't see her very often which is why she is able to be in the Big Sister/Little Sister program. Recently when she'd gone to Sarah's to visit, Andrea told Sarah repeatedly that she wanted to come see our horses.

When Andrea came up to the barn door, she stopped cold. Sarah had to coax her to come in. Andrea uneasily looked at the hay and the horses' heads sticking out their stall doors ready to say hi. She was overwhelmed by the new smells, new sounds that she'd never experienced before. The horses all in a chorus greeted her as they are wont to do, and Andrea, with lowered eyes, stayed behind Sarah.

I thought perhaps we'd start with something small. How about a young chick? Well...

Andrea had never seen a chicken up close, and I asked her if she wanted to pet one or hold one, and shook her head emphatically. All my chickens are friendly as they are constantly played with by Mikyla and Aleyna and their friends. However, as I found out later, even the cats and dogs made Andrea anxious.

I could barely get her to pet the horses throughout the evening: They seemed huge to her . Purposely, I'd left my tallest and biggest mare out in the field--Prize is around 15.1--knowing that Prize can be intimidating because of her height and her big-boned conformation. Nonetheless, Andrea met several others: Lacey, our dun mare; Lea, tiny Pepper (Andrea's eyes lit up when she saw her!), Vivien (who still intimidated her even as a yearling. Viv's going to be easily 15 hands.), and finally, Dottie (Aleyna's hackney/mini cross), and Sweetie.

Andrea wouldn't say anything, so I tried to answer her unspoken questions. No matter how much we persuaded her, nothing would change her mind--even watching Lance, a two year old, feed the horses.

Then we went outside to saddle up Dottie, Rosie and Sweetie. My daughters Mikyla and Aleyna had her help them brush the horses a little bit--at least more than I could get her to! I could almost hear her soft spoken words as she talked to the girls. I could see it in her eyes that she longed to help, but horses, regardless of their size, can be a little frightening, especially to a young child who has never been on a farm.

After trying unsuccessfully to get her to pet or brush the horses, I thought for sure I'd not be able to get her on a horse. However, when she saw Mikyla riding Rosie and Aleyna on Dottie, Andrea decided that riding one would be okay. So, Doug helped her get on, and I led her around the riding arena a few times. Then, I asked her if she wanted to trot. She hesitantly nodded. I almost got a smile... .

Andrea stayed on Sweetie for at least half an hour, serious, and again, almost a smile. At first we led Sweetie, then Andrea rode by herself, and sometimes she just sat there on Sweetie with Sweetie half-sleeping. <G>

Andrea always listened to my instructions and followed them without comment. Matter of fact, she hardly said 20 words to me the two hours she was here.

Finally, Sweetie and Andrea had had enough, and Andrea got down. When it was time to brush Sweetie and say "thank you", she still wouldn't brush her, but she did pet her tentatively and softly said, "Thanks."

Andrea, Sarah and I went over to meet Mandy (she wouldn't pet Mandy either) while Mikyla and Aleyna put their horses away too, and all three girls and Lance took off for the trampoline while Sarah, Doug and I talked. Sarah told us about Andrea's home life. Andrea seems to be loved and well taken care of. There is just very little money. Nothing extra. She'd never been to a county fair or seen cows or horses or chickens or donkeys (she loved ours!) up close--and some only in pictures.

As I heard my girls and Andrea laughing as they jumped on the trampoline, I couldn't help but think how lucky we are that we can give so much to our children. And how lucky they are to grow up with those horses who wrap around our hearts and give so much back. But my girls don't realize it. Not yet. Not until their children are growing up, and they see how much they have.

With full dark coming quickly, Sarah and Andrea said goodbye. We all told Andrea that she was more than welcome to come back and see the horses anytime. And I finally got the full smile I'd wanted all evening.

She'd had a good time, and so had we.

And we look forward to seeing her again.

Tori

*I changed names for privacy purposes.

I invite your comments and your questions. tori@draconiakeep.com

Until tomorrow...

Thanks,

Tori Wilfred