Welcomed Guests

After the snow and wind storm we had the end of last week the first group of Canadian Geese landed on one of the farm ponds. From the warmer weather we had been having all the ice was melted and the geese stayed for the next 3 days until the colder temperatures caused the ice to begin to form again on the pond.

I always welcome the arrival of the geese and hope that one or two pairs will stick around to raise their young so I can see the baby goslings grow and mature. The parents have to protect their nest and young from roving fox, snapping turtles and other wild animals that frequent the ponds too.

About 11 years ago, before I lived on the farm property, I found a baby gosling all by itself in a field, far away from a water source and without any other geese in sight. It was calling for its companions or mother so I found it easily as I walked through the tall grass. I have no idea how the gosling got separated but have theorized that some prey animal had it and dropped it before it met its demise. 

I gathered it up and transported it to the farm pond where there was a clutch of goslings being raised by their protective parents. I placed it by the side of the pond and it immediately swam to where the others were and seemed to be accepted into the family. I named it Antonio and since it was slightly larger than the other babies I could tell that it assimilated well and stayed with the family group until they flew away later in the season. I have often wondered if Antonio has ever returned to the farm and raised some of his young here. I like to think so.

We had another not so welcomed visitor last week before the storm. My daughter was walking with the two farm dogs late in the evening as it had begun to rain, before the snow stared. The older dog ran off over the hill to investigate, as she often does. My daughter sent the Border Collie to fetch the older, hard of hearing dog, and when they returned they both smelled of skunk. The older dog had gotten a direct hit and the border collie just by association. After many baths, and a night spent ostracized, they were allowed back in the house. I assume the rain plus approaching storm caused the skunk to be looking for higher grounds and a better location to wait out the storm. A case of wrong place, wrong time.

These welcomed guests, plus the not so welcomed one, started me thinking about my personal visitors in my thoughts. I’ve been delving into memories from my past lately while writing some stories for my three grandchildren.  It’s been like reliving moments of my past life and reconnecting with people who influenced me in many different ways. I’ve enjoyed the memories for the most part, but they have brought to mind some not so pleasant ones also.

I’ve come to believe that all I have gone through, whether good or bad, has been important to my growth and development, one who I hope  can relate to others, have empathy and understanding even if I don’t agree with their actions. This doesn’t mean that I have always fallen on the side of doing good and understanding everyone. I struggle every day being the best that I can and should be. But I think by exploring my past it helps me to open myself further and to have better understanding and empathy.  I’m hoping that I can continue to explore and have discoveries, not only about my past relationships, but to open myself to new and continuing ones as well. May all my guests feel welcomed and allow me to learn from them.

Written: 3-6-18