In the middle of a rather tense community table meeting a colleague blurted out: “we must think of the geese”. This ED quickly elaborated. She described that when a flock of Canada Geese descend into a field and search for left over corn or other nibblies, a few geese stand watch. Then as the odd goose gets their fill they will take over as sentry and let the former guardian forage for snacks. So, in the context of the meeting, my learned friend was trying to say that as agencies sometimes we are in the receiving side of grants and good things, and sometimes we must stand sentry for one another as partners. So, while she sounded a bit off topic at first, in the end it was a reminder about what it is to be partners in community. I have been thinking about this over the last few days, as we have weathered different challenges, in lots of ways. Sometimes we get to be the snacking geese, able to just relax and look for what sustains us best, enjoy the uninterrupted time to seek out what we need. Other times we may be the side kick, that guard that pays attention to what our loved ones or colleagues need most and working to make it happen for them, with little thought to why we are not able to equally enjoy the corn feast. I love this idea too because it is absolutely true that none of us are able to reap rewards and delights all the time. So, in the gaps and in between times, that is when we can take some time to check on others, close in around someone who needs it, offer some kind of help. Community connection offers us both the chance to reap and the chance to sow, we can find what sustains us and we can also, with a little effort, guard and create space for others, remember the geese.
