“It’s not all unicorns and rainbows,” someone says to point out that whatever they are going through isn’t all fun and games and they shouldn’t expect it to be. Whatever it is might be college, a job, or raising kids or just a random Tuesday afternoon. The point being, we have to live in reality and not be all “woo woo” about it. Dreams are for children and silly people who believe in unicorns.
My granddaughter, Presley, drew this picture for me. Early one morning a few weeks ago, someone had used the phrase “unicorns and rainbows,” to excuse the subject matter of his discussion. I mulled over it while having my coffee and I sent Pres a quick text “please draw me a picture of a unicorn.” She responded that she would later, but she was on the bus to school at the moment. My heart ached for her. On the bus to school, at 12 1/2 years old – oh how I wish I could spare her that experience. I hope it is not the nightmare for her as it was for me. I take comfort that she is much more sure of who she is than I was at her age.
Presley came out of the womb with an incredible imagination. Like most little girls, her favorite colors were pink and purple and she loved unicorns, pegasuses (pegasi?), dragons, fairies, and butterflies. She loved all the beautiful creatures. I wish she could stay there, but as she moves into her teen years her focus has moved on to horses. She takes riding lessons with a sweet little pony named Merida. Most girls her age are fond of horses. When I was in the 5th and 6th grades the most popular books in our school library were those in the Misty of Chincoteague series by Marguerite Henry. I guess it is a natural progression toward logical adulthood and away from the unicorns of childhood. I would love it if she could stay a child forever. I hate that society encourages us to mature and change. 1 Corinthians 13:11 states “When I became an adult, I had no use for childish things.” (Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version). Most people interpret that as a directive rather than a simple comment made by a boring old grownup. I choose to read it with a tone of regret from Paul.
If Presley is anything like me, putting away childish things is very difficult for her. Childish things are fun, interesting and friendly. There is comfort in the soft stuffed animals of youth, the plush animals who speak to you just like people – only nicer. There is a serenity in cuddling your cat as he purrs and makes biscuits on the pillow; safety in the gaze of a dog waiting for her mistress’ directive. The smell of a horse, the barn, the leather saddle, it all brings a girl down to Mother Earth. Children (especially girls) today are moving too quickly into adulthood often at the encouragement of their parents. I’m thankful that Presley’s parents let her navigate at her own pace. She will land on her own two feet just fine. I wish I could promise her an easy journey, but nobody can.
I don’t understand why unicorns are the go to symbol of fantasy and woo-woo thought, though. A horse with a horn in the middle of her head is not any more far fetched than a giant lizard with tiny arms and a head too large for its body. The platypus defies explanation, but yet there he is.
I have often heard adults say “when I win the lottery, I’m going to …” How grounded in reality is that? They spend money on a one in a kazillion chance to win more money than they need, but refuse to entertain the idea that we could live without fossil fuels, power our homes with the sun and wind. and grow food without chemicals.
I have a unicorn. She looks a lot like the one Presley drew for me. My unicorn is a world where people are kind to each other, especially those of us who march to a different beat. I fantasize about a country where political elections don’t divide a country or a family. I like to believe moral values have more value than money. My escape are my trees and the creatures that live among them. I like to sit with them and the other wild things and let them tell me about how it used to be when the air was clear and people traveled by foot or animal.
I imagine a life where nobody sits by the phone waiting for test results, hospitals aren’t necessary and no one has to say goodbye to the people they love most in the world because of age or illness. Dogs live forever. Food is nourishment, not poison. Children aren’t in danger every time they leave their homes to go to school. Are these dreams any more realistic than a horse with a horn on her head?
Charles and I are starting down the road to retirement. We both want a retirement that is anything but tired. We want a retirement that is healthful and energetic, full of interesting people and places. We hope to make Sugarberry Slope not just a retreat for ourselves, but one that welcomes others to share in its peace. While I do look forward to sitting on my front porch and watching the wild life, I also intend that my mind will be sharp and my days filled with more interesting activities than making doctor appointments and filling pill organizers.
My unicorn is living to 100 years old full of health and vitality, feeding myself and those that I love with good nutritious food I grow myself, staying active in the things that are important to me: my family, my home, my earth, my faith. Faith is a big part of my unicorn. My unicorn dictates that I don’t just sit down and succumb to old age, but make it exactly what I want it to be.
I want to hike the Appalachian Trail and set the record for Charles and me as oldest couple to accomplish all 2190 miles riding on the backs of our unicorns.
I love my unicorn. I refuse to believe she doesn’t exist.
Believing in her is how I get through most days.
