I posted this story during my last walk, it just seemed like something that should be shared.

The Story of the Geese

This fall if you see geese heading south for the winter … flying along in V-formation …you might consider what nature has always known…As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a V-formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range, than if each bird flew on its own.

People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

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.

If we have as much sense as the goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed the same way we are.

When the head goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point.

It is sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs … with people or with geese flying south.

Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

What do we say when we honk from behind?

Finally … and this is very important … when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gunshots, and falls out of formation …
two other geese fall out with that goose 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 …
only then do they launch out on their own, or with another formation, to catch up with their group.

If we have the same sense of a goose …
we will stand by each other like that.

Barb Pender originally designed the sweatshirts for the BC Listserv featuring geese flying in V-formation.

When Barb sent the sweatshirts, she enclosed the above Goose Story along with a note that said, "Enjoy your sweatshirt! Wear it with pride … you are flying in V-formation with many others. Honk, honk! Barb Pender"

Barbara Ann Mosiej Pender died at the age of 49 on Saturday, June 26, 1999.

In her eight-year fight to triumph over breast cancer, she became an activist in its early detection and research as well as being an inspiration to many women and men coping with this terrible disease.