She didn't make it.
This little bee, with her legs forever folded and her tattered wings silent,
worked so hard for the good of her hive..... but she will never enjoy the fruits of her labor.
Was all her labor in vain, then?
Certainly not...
Her efforts will help feed the next generation of bees.... maybe even a future Queen...
but not her.
I get a little sad when I see a dead worker bee,
even though I know I shouldn't because their life span is so short~
but I can't help but wonder....
did she venture out into the cold winter air for some water,
and not make it back in time before a deadly chill set in on her little body?
Or, had she just worked her little body to death and,
as workers bees do when it is "their time",
crawl outside the hive to die alone?
I will never know the answer, and her sisters that continue coming in and out of the hive
occasionally inspecting her lifeless body, are not talking.
Either way, she is a brave little soldier in my eyes.... and worthy of some kind of memorial.
It's the least I can do for these amazing creatures who toil for the honey I enjoy.
Sleep tight, little Bee... you made your short time on Earth matter,
and I am a better person for taking the time to notice.
Paula - I love that about you - we should be grateful to all His creation and creatures for the parts they play.
ReplyDeleteHello dear girl.. I know how you love your little bees.. Hope the rest stay safe..
ReplyDeletexo
That's all rather moving
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to be able to observe the life cycle of bees. I would love to get my first hive this spring. My hubby says , "go right a head but I aint goin near them" LOL He is chicken! So I guess I wil just have to find me a good teacher and do it myself. :o) I do need mor e bees in my garden.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
that was so sweet. they do truly toil.
ReplyDeleteI know just what you mean, Paula. The Lord has His purpose for every creature He brings into the world. Even when we feel sad to lose them to death. The honeybees are some of the hardest working creatures God gave for our benefit. Our bees are worth more to us here on Pilgrim's Farm.
ReplyDeleteI meant to say, our bees are worth more than gold to us here on Pilgrim's Farm. Thought I'd better to make clear what I meant.
ReplyDeleteWell Paula, this just brought tears. I am sorry to say I have never thought of bee in this way. But hey, it's Gods little creature doing what God made him to do. Good post!
ReplyDeleteThere aren't many honey bees in our area anymore, but bubble bees work the flowers and garden plants. We had hives for a while, several years ago.
ReplyDeleteThis made me think of the jumping spider I used to have around the kitchen sink -- we became friends, then one day I found him dead. I fixed him in a "coffin" and my oldest daughter said this is one of the first things her husband remembers about me the first time he saw me. ;)
Sweet little bee..She died doing what she loved to do, and she did make a difference...How good of you to notice when so many others would just step over her or not even see her...Love, mare
ReplyDeleteI have pondered the hard work and then death of the bees my husband keeps, but never so eloquently as you. Beautiful pictures, thankful & kind words.I love this post.
ReplyDeleteThat was sweet...never thought about the little worker bees.
ReplyDeleteAwwww...Paula-they are the sweetest little creatures. Thank you for a lovely post.
ReplyDeleteLove you dear.
Paula,
ReplyDeleteYou have a kind, and grateful heart.
It's nice to know that you appreciate the small things.
What a nice reminder for each of us.
Smiles :)
K.
Very nice post. Almost brought a tear to my eye.
ReplyDeletePaula, this was a very nice post. I never really thought about bees in this way. You are a sweet, kind lady.
ReplyDeletePaula, it's always sad to say good-bye even to worker bees. Daddy has kept bees for more than 70 years and I have so many fond memories of him working his bees while I stood alongside and took photos.
ReplyDeleteI love your tender heart, Paula. That was a beautifully written tribute to one of God's creatures.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet post Paula. Every creature big or small has a specific reason for being in this big old world.
ReplyDelete"The Fraker Farm" has been included in the A Sunday Drive for this week. Be assured that I hope this helps to point even more new visitors in your direction.
ReplyDeletehttp://asthecrackerheadcrumbles.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-sunday-drive_10.html
º° ✿彡
ReplyDeleteOlá!
Boa reflexão, mas tudo tem seu tempo!...
Bom domingo! Boa semana!
Beijinhos do Brasil
✿ °•.¸
¸.•°♡⊱彡
I love this post. Sometimes I get sad when something seems to have passed before it's time.
ReplyDeleteThis almost made me cry.. I hate to see anything die.. You have such a good heart my friend.. x0x0x
ReplyDeletePaula, I have never appreciated bee's like I do now. What a precious post. They deserve the acknowledgement! So sad. Makes me all the more grateful for honey & the sweet life of a worker bee.
ReplyDeleteI like the new look of your blog!!! BUT WHAT!~~~ no miss Lily in the header shot??? sniff!
ReplyDeleteI am sad when I see a honey bee dead, I know they do so much for us in so many ways. Not only providing pollination for the food we eat but the flowers we love to see and lets not forget the honey. GOD sure blessed us with these outstanding insects.
Hope the farm is fairing up well in this cold and Miss L is keeping you all nice and warm when she cozies up to you.
You put tears in my eyes too, Paula. You know we can learn alot from bees....I remember reading that by all normal aerodynamics, a bee is not supposed to fly, yet they do! I think you're awesome for raising bees and considering the life of the little soldier!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Tammy
Poor little thing. Things like this get to me too... :(
ReplyDeleteYou are a sweet soul dear Paula.
hugs!
doreen
Paula, you are so kind to the animals. Thank you for showing me this.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post. Thank you for reminding us to stop and think about the little things that make our lives better.
ReplyDeleteThis made me so sad, Paula. I love bees, and I have had to stop feeding my hummingbirds because I absolutely had so many bees the hummingbirds couldn't feed at all. I tried putting the dish of sugarwater out for the bees, but of course, even though that dish stayed covered with them, they also remembered where the hummingbird feeders were too. I had to give up. That made me sad...for the hummingbirds AND the bees! I hate to see a dead bee, too. We need them so much, and well, they are terribly misunderstood!
ReplyDelete