Dear Daughters,

Yesterday Grandpa and I had to go to the accountant’s office to drop off some papers.  Hanging on the wall was a picture of geese flying in an autumn sky. Below the picture were printed a few highlights about geese which I had learned back in college, but forgotten over the decades.

In His wisdom, God hardwired geese, and other migratory birds, with the instinct to fly in a “V” formation, and for very good reasons. Scientists estimate that geese can fly 70% further with the same energy because of their formation.  They reach their destination more quickly and with less energy than if they tried flying alone.

When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone.  It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the synergy that comes from the lifting power of the birds in front.  A goose learns quickly that it takes a lot more energy and effort to fly alone than with a community.

When a goose gets sick, two other geese fall out of formation to follow it down, helping and protecting it. The helper geese will stay with and protect the sick goose from predators until it is well enough to fly again.

When the lead goose tires, another goose flies up to take that lead position.  No one goose can keep on being the leader all the time.  They contentedly lead awhile then follow awhile.

You will often hear geese honking as they fly overhead in the fall.  Their honks are not at all melodious or beautiful but they do communicate encouragement and keep up the good work in bird language.

It is amazing how closely our human lives parallel the geese and their V formation – the synergy of flying together, the helping out when others are down, and the communication during the flight.

Our family’s V is not always in perfect formation, at times it is jagged and broken,  but we have found that flying together is much better than flying alone.

Thank you, all my daughters, for your love and faithfulness, for honking at the right time, taking turns at leading, and helping out when one of us is weak.

In the midst of pain and sadness my heart is full of joy as we continue to fly.

Love, Mom