Finding His Wings

“Quack, quack!” my son said, toddling across the field on his 11-and-a-half-month-old, newly-found walking legs.

The gaggle of geese surrounded us from every direction, graciously forgiving him for describing them as ducks. They were interested. Very interested.

Suddenly, before I knew what was happening, at least 20 sets of black beady eyes gazed directly into my son’s blue ones. They bobbed their necks, back and forth, communicating with one another in silence, assessing the danger, unsure.

As they edged closer and closer, forming a giant half circle around us, I couldn’t help but think of my friend who is afraid of geese. On her regular jogs along the river, she runs wide, avoiding their hissing and occasional nibbles at all costs.

Yet, here I was, allowing my innocent, vulnerable, beautiful son to be surrounded. I couldn’t help but wonder if, in my desire to allow him to explore his world, I was risking too much. I edged backward a bit, just to make sure none were closing in on us from behind.

My son, oblivious to any danger, was making friends. Flapping his arms, bending his body away from my gentle touch, he leaned in toward one particularly eager goose, its bill and his nose nearly meeting.

Then, instantly, the scene changed. Perhaps it was the way he stared them down, eye-to-eye. Maybe it was the movement of an arm, or a step he took when I wasn’t looking. I’m not sure exactly how he did it, or how it happened so quickly, but suddenly, that gaggle of geese was running away as quickly as they could from my pure, sweet innocent son. And I was bringing up the rear, trying to catch up.

As Devin chased those geese on his very-new-little legs, a look of sheer delight on his face, he was very much in command. In that moment, I learned quite by accident that perhaps one of the greatest gifts we give our children isn’t just protection, but also the space to find their own wings.

I also discovered, admittedly in a state of awe and wonder at his example, how stepping into one’s own power can be not only easy, but also a whole lot of fun.