What Can We Learn From Geese?
I was always aware that my dad was a pediatric dentist. I knew he loved taking care of young children and helping them develop lifelong habits of taking care of their teeth. I also knew that he taught at the dental school and trained residents as they were preparing to open their own practices. What I did not realize, until I was older, was that my dad specialized in working with children with disabilities.
He definitely had a gift. He was able to put both children and parents at ease.
My brothers and I would often go to work with him, or our mom would drop us off at his office. We would sit in his office and wait for him, wander the halls of the dental school, or sit in the waiting room with the families waiting to be seen.
Growing up, I don’t think I ever noticed that some of these children were “different” than me. They were just children and they were just as cute, snotty, dirty, funny, mean, and kind as any child. It wasn’t until I went to college that I realized where my own passion for teaching children with disabilities was formed.
While in college, I stumbled upon a double major in Special Education and Psychology. I absolutely fell in love with teaching what many thought of as a challenging population.
As an educator, I had many opportunities that helped develop my passion and skill for working with a wide range of disabilities. One of those opportunities took me to Seattle. I asked my precious Daddy to go with me, and he did. He even decided to present with me at an annual conference.
Our presentation centered around working with people with severe disabilities in communities of faith. During our presentation, we shared something that I had read about and it stuck with me. That is, lessons that we can learn from geese…yes, I said GEESE!!
Lessons from Geese
When geese fly in formation, they create their own unique form of teamwork. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in their ‘V’, the whole flock adds at least 71% more flying range than if each bird flew on its own. Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front. When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back in the ‘V’, and another goose flies point.
When a goose gets sick, or is wounded and falls out of formation, two other geese fall out with their companion and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly, or until it dies, and only then do they launch out on their own, or with another formation to catch up with the group.
My dad and I used these lessons from the geese to illustrate how we worked together with other professionals to support people with disabilities.
What Can Geese Teach Us About Grief?
Fast forward many years and I find myself sorting through boxes full of memories. I came across our presentation and it brought back many memories. But something else struck me as well. These same lessons can also be applied to grief.
Let Me Explain…
When geese fly in formation, they create their own unique form of teamwork. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in their ‘V’, the whole flock adds at least 71% more flying range than if each bird flew on its own.
When people share a common direction, and sense of community, they can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are traveling on the thrust of one another. When we support each other through the grief process, we help others see that they are not alone. That we will be there for them in whatever way they need support. It takes a village…
Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
How do we “honk” at people experiencing grief? How do we encourage them to keep moving forward? What message are we sending from behind? We can use our words and actions to walk with someone through the dark valley of grief. We can also lend a listening ear as they share memories and the pain of their loss.
When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front. When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back in the ‘V’, and another goose flies point.
If we have as much sense as a goose, we will encourage others to “stay in formation” with those headed in the same direction. That is, in the direction of health and healing. It is sensible to take turns supporting each other and helping those who are in the grip of grief.
When a goose gets sick, or is wounded and falls out of formation, two other geese fall out with their companion and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly, or until it dies, and only then do they launch out on their own, or with another formation to catch up with the group.
If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other like that. We will step off of our comfortable path and support, help, and comfort those who need it most. We will stay with them until they are ready to fly again.
May we all have the sense of a goose and be surrounded by them when we need them the most.
