Earlier this spring, I happened upon a bee that had been knocked over by a wave but was still alive. He was on his back . . . floundering . . . unable to turn himself over and too wet to fly away. I wanted to help him but I didn't know how. I feared that if I tried to pick him up with my hands, I would get stung and I didn't want to get stung. I always carry my flip-flops when I walk the beach so using the toe of my flip-flop, I tried to scoop him up onto my shoe. It didn't work and I ended up flinging even more sand on him and stressing him out even more. I felt awful but I wasn't deterred. I just HAD to find a way to help this bee.
Something inspired me to see if he could grab onto my flip-flop himself. Holding it upside down so the straps were right over his body, I asked him if he could grab ahold of the strap. Much to my surprise and delight he did! I flipped my shoe over so he was right side up and I explained to him that I wanted to help him get to dry land. I told him he could just relax, catch his breath and let his wings dry and I assured him that I would find a plant for him to rest on.
The beach that I walk on is lined with beach houses up a ways from the shore. Many of the houses have flowers and bushes so I decided to walk up to the houses and find a flower to put him on. As I held my shoe next to the plant, I told him it was safe for him to let go of my shoe and step onto the flower. He seemed a little hesitant at first but after a minute or so, he stepped safely onto the flower. I wished him well and walked back to the shore. Much to my surprise, within a minute or so, I encountered another bee, floundering on his back. I decided the process was worth repeating and fortunately for me, this bee was on board with it . . . grabbing onto the strap of my flip-flop and allowing me to walk him up to a flower.
My hour long beach walk turned into a 2+ hour beach walk that day because I found so many bees that needed help. I had never walked up to the houses that many times as I usually just walk along the water and while my feet hurt from walking on such hot sand, I didn't give it much thought, as I was so happy that I was able to help the bees!!Not long after that, I saw a painting of a little girl holding a bee and it touched me so much it brought tears to my eyes.
The artists name is: Autumn Skye. If you feel inspired to check out any of her other artwork, she has some amazing pieces. Her website is: https://www.autumnskyeart.com
Since that first day, helping bees along the shore has become a regular thing. I still feel sad when I encounter a bee that has already died (I tell them that I am sorry I wasn't able to get there in time) but it makes my heart feel good to know there are bees that I HAVE been able to help.
The other interesting thing is that since I started saving bees on the beach, I have been having encounters with bees in my backyard. I have always enjoyed seeing them buzz around the flowers in the yard but they have never come near me . . . that is until the last few months when bees will come right up to me, a few inches from my face, sometimes they'll do a little zig-zag maneuver in front of me and then fly off. It feels like an acknowledgment that I am a "friend" and it makes me smile.
No comments:
Post a Comment