Letting Go

There are a goose and gander that have made our lake their swimming pool. My husband thinks that they're an annoyance, but I think they're wonderful (their messy droppings can be pretty disgusting though). With their necks arched in such a pretty way they look dignified as they swim from one end of our lake to the other.

Just this past month they've added a few new members to their family-four goslings. Mother and father accompany their babies all around the lake now. I like to think that they're giving them swimming lessons, but in reality, goslings know how to swim the minute they're born.

As the summer rolls along these goslings will begin to look more and more like a mature goose. They'll begin losing their fuzzy downy feathers and begin growing flight feathers. One day in the fall, they'll be on their own and flying south for the winter. This cycle of infancy to maturity is all a part of nature.

Since these new additions have arrived I've noticed that the geese have become quite territorial. I dare not go near their babies for fear that they'll attack. Mother and father goose will raise quite a ruckus if I come within twenty yards of their precious little birds. It seems as if they'll protect them at all cost.

I suppose...no, I know that I'm like them. The minute I delivered each of my babies I had a "don't you mess with my precious kid" attitude. The Mama Bear came out in me in an instant, and to this day, shows no sign of leaving. The thought of someone doing harm to my children either physically, mentally, or through words breaks my heart. Just like the geese on our lake, I want to protect my kids at all cost.

I know that sooner or later I'll need to release my protective grip on my kids and let them experience life on their own. I can't always be there to protect them from harm. The cycle of infancy to maturity is inevitable and all a part of life. My boys are maturing right before my eyes and one day they will be young men going off to experience life in high school, college, and what lays beyond.

When that happens I need not fear. I know that this is part of life's plan-part of His plan. I can rest knowing that there will be (and has alway been) Someone there to watch over them.

"The LORD Himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as a protective shade. The sun will not hurt you by day, nor the moon at night. The LORD keeps you from all evil and preserves your life. The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever." ~Psalm 121:5-8

Please watch this cute video below....its about ducks and not geese, but it goes along with the idea of us mothers protecting our young.