As any mom will attest, there are few things more heartwarming to a parent than witnessing a display of kindness and affection between siblings.
Recently, my middle child, Ethan, came to the rescue of his little sister, Kate. Kate had been struggling over several weeks with nighttime fears and her transition to bed alone. She has a room to herself, which lately seemed very lonely compared to the room her two brothers share. Kate began to hear noises, alone in her room after being tucked in, perhaps wild animals or even monsters!
We'd tried all the usual remedies and family ideas -- nightlights, comforting words, under-the-bed and closet checks and even several nights of Mommy sitting outside Kate's door until the Sandman finally arrived. The real solution came suddenly, in a quiet brainstorm, from brother Ethan.
What are Values? Siblings Know
I had seen Ethan rummaging in my sewing box earlier, asking if he could have this and that. His finished creation was simple: a scrap of elastic onto which he'd laced a leftover jingle bell. Ethan had carefully sewn the frayed ends of the elastic together in large loopy stitches, white thread against the black band.
"Here, Kate, this'll help," Ethan said as he offered up the bracelet that night.
"How?" she asked doubtfully.
"It's a monster bell. You wear it and if you get scared you just shake your hand and the bell will scare them away."
"Oh," she'd replied with interest, slipping the bracelet onto her tiny wrist.
I'd watched the exchange from the fringe, touched by Ethan's thoughtfulness, but not really believing it would satisfy Kate as night crept in. It worked beautifully, that night and all nights since. Child to child, brother to sister, Ethan had shown Kate that he understood her fears, had compassion for her, and wanted to help.
A Close Family: For Kids, Bonding is Deep
I was grateful to realize that the bond they share is deep and ever-present. No earlier tiff over who should sit in the seat by the window or who deserved the last cherry popsicle could cast them apart. For all the frustration, exasperation and anger they hurl at one another, there remains a trust, a love, and a security that being part of a family brings.
I am still amazed each night, as Kate dutifully slips on her monster bell bracelet and hops into bed, at the power of a jingle bell and the strength of a brother and sister's love.
Sherre Mobley is a mother of three children and a freelance writer in New London, Missouri.