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Early morning hours brought
the sound of wild geese as they flew low over our hill house on their
way to a new home by the lake.
It sounded as if they were talking with one another " Hurry up guys!
There's Merrifield's Lake dead ahead."
"Oh great! It will be so good to get off these wings." My imagination
soared too.
Moments of reverie took me back to a story my brother, Mike, who lived
five years ago, told me. It was about a real event with two life long
mates, wild geese.
Birds along highways in
Kansas often peck at grain that has blown off trucks traveling down the
road. On the shoulder was a dead goose with its mate standing loyally on
guard over the body.
"I shut down my semi to pull over off the road. Behind me my crew with
heavy equipment in tow pulled over too. We were a sight I'm sure. The
passing traffic looked at us with curiosity" My brother grinned as he
remembered. " I rolled off the seat and out of my rig. I slowly
approached the two birds with movements as cautious as a cat creeping
toward it's prey. I spoke calmly to her mate, Say old fella, I know you
can't leave her, however this traffic will get you too. With one quick
motion I scooped the dead goose up into my arms. Gently I carried the
lifeless body a distance away from the heavy traffic and carefully laid
it down. That bird seemed to understand me as he followed along
dutifully intent on continuing a vigil." My brother had a sad look on
his face as he told this.
Ponca Native tradition tells, "you will grieve four years for your loved
one". It is true. To verify this belief five years have gone by since I
lost my brother, only now are memories sweet.
"You will be with me in paradise." Webster's defines paradise as a
garden or park. "So it is brother, you will be with me in the Happy
Hunting Ground. The resurrection we are promised with past deeds
forgotten. Our loving God, Jehovah the Great Spirit provides a way for
hope."
"Rest well, brother Mike. Goose knows what's best flyin for his heart at
rest," so went a once popular refrain.
Donna Flood |
