Geese

Dear Dad,

G3 thought of you today. Actually, whenever he sees a goose he thinks of you. He loves reminiscing about the story you told him — oh so many years ago — about the time when you were little and a goose bit your butt.

Today, after we finished our homeschool lessons, G3 wanted to go to Dunkin Donuts. He has a couple of gift cards he’s been wanting to use. And he is excited that we live close enough that we can bike there. (We live close enough to walk — but, as you know, walking is something he avoids at all costs.) After he picked up a donut — strawberry frosted with sprinkles — he wanted to bike over to the local park and eat it. I followed him down Route 28 and when we got to the park, he pulled off the path, parked his bike, and walked down to the edge of the brook. As he ate his donut, he watched several geese swimming and playing. Foolishly, he broke off a tiny crumb and tossed it into the water. Two geese feverishly fought over it. The losing goose and another goose partnered up, turned around, and paddled as fast as their feet would carry them toward the bank. Without slowing down, they waddled up onto dry land and charged after G3. Immediately, — remembering you — he popped the rest of his donut in his mouth and he grabbed his butt with both hands. To avoid the birds, he started to run away. The geese were not deterred. They hissed and chased after him until they stood between him and his bike. Picking up speed, he called over his shoulder, “Get my bike.” Oh sure, I thought, let me brave the geese. But I wasn’t the one with the food. They didn’t even waste a glance on me. I rolled his bike over to him and he took off out of the park. I jumped on my bike and followed. Before we turned onto the street, I looked back and the geese were still in pursuit.

I miss you!