Canada Geese are wonderful creations of God. They mate for life. Both the male and female nurture their young, teaching them and protecting them against danger. In a way, there is a parallel between flying with ANWA and the order of the teamwork and flight of geese! They prepare each other for flight by honking out encouragement, and they continue this during flight to boost each other along: "Keep up!" "That's great!" "You're doing fine!"

The leader of the V-formation has powerful wings. This goose gives 71% uplift to the geese flying behind it. It is the provider of the wind beneath its brothers' and sisters' wings. If the head goose gets tired, he gives a special honk, and his mate or the next strongest bird slips into his place while the leader rests in the uplift of his family and friends. If one goose straggles and tries to leave the "V," the pull downwards is tremendous, so the others "honk" this goose along to rejoin the "V." If a goose gets too tired or can't go on, two geese go down with it to comfort it, and to encourage it to rejoin the "V" if it is able.

At our ANWA meetings, we encourage ("honk") each other along. There is nothing more heartening than the praise and advice of our sisters as we read or listen to 10 minutes of each other's wonderful writing gifts. We give suggestions, and at least 71% uplift to our fellow writers. It is so uplifting to hear the creative efforts of some that are finally published. We are so proud of the heights they attained. We travel as a family-wondering what is going to be next in our sisters' achievements. Some stories are so exciting that we want to hear more than 10-minutes' worth. And if we straggle away, we can get much encouragement and wonderful help from our loving sisters.

A little-known quality of Canada Geese is that they serve as passenger planes for song and humming birds that are unable to make the trip themselves. They are so giving, sharing the trip with these little birds safely nestled in their wings. Many people today need a story or an inspirational poem to strengthen their spirit and help them on their way. Our abilities are God-given gifts, and we promised to use them with the highest goals in mind, a devotion to our Lord to be the best we can be and to help other people, as an expression of God through us.

We choose to travel in a wonderful ANWA "V." The trip together as daughters of God gives tremendous uplift to our wings. We couldn't have chosen to fly with a finer flock.