It’s delightful when something in life comes so full circle it provides a story for a boring Monday morning.
Many months ago, before the 1st Annual Winterpast Garden Party, CC and I were shopping in a garden and home store. Not really a shopper, I usually just browse. On rare occasions, something adorable I must have and so it was on that day.
Along with bee napkins for the party, I found an irresistible coffee mug decorated with a magnificent queen bee surrounded by flowers. It would be the perfect cup from which to sip morning coffee at the computer. Aside from being beautiful, it came in a matching gift box which would keep it safe on my long journey back to Nevada. Also finding a secret gift for CC, I paid and we left.
Once back home, HHH was busy preparing for his annual golf trip. He’d be out of town for the garden party and was interested in all the plans. I showed him the napkins and new cup.
“Oh, that cup is great. You know who need that cup?”
In that moment, my inner voice was saying, “Me. I need the cup. I love the cup. I bought this cup. It will inspire wonderful stories.”
My outer voice replied, “Who would that be?”
“Well, our friend and mentor, Miss Bee.”
Immediately, I knew he was absolutely right. Miss Bee has been with us every step of the way. She has mentored us in the most gentle way, helping us to be the best bee parents we can be. HHH was right. There was no other person that should have this cup. Certainly not me. It already belonged to Miss Bee so at the garden party, I gave it to her. It was meant to be her cup and that was that.
About a week later, a strange package arrived in the mail from CC. We don’t often exchange gifts, so I was puzzled as to what it could be. Once I opened the box, I almost cried. There, nestled in tissue was the same adorable bee cup in its cute-as-bee’s-wings box. Secretly, she’d gotten it for me, not knowing I bought one already! She certainly didn’t know I’d given mine away without even using it once.
The cup is perfect in every way and definitely my favorite. Every morning I’m reminded of the fabulous time we spent together.
And, for a time the box would wait for a job. It might take time, but I’d find just the right treasure to secret into the box as a gift.
Well, weeks passed. We gardened. HHH got stung almost a dozen times in less than 30 minutes. He broke his Maui Jim sunglasses in the process and I sent them away with a note about the way in which the glasses became cracked. After all, if I repaired broken glasses, I might be curious how the break occurred.
Two weeks ago, we got the nicest note from the repair department. You see, we’d twice used their repair services in the spring. In this note, the sweetest associate send her best wishes after such a terrible accident and wished HHH well. She’d only charge us 50% of the normal repair cost as we’d had a little run of bad luck. In this crazy world, it takes Maui Jim -Peoria, Illinois nice to do something so sweet. We’d need to share a little Nevada high desert plains nice in return.
Out came the box. Inside went 4 oz. of our 2024 crop of Winterpast honey with a note of thanks. After careful wrapping, off it went. Last week, I got a reply.
“Thank you for the delicious honey. By the way, this is the cutest little box. I plan to find a special use for it……”
Sometimes even an empty box can spread friendship and happiness.
Remember, whatever you do today, BEE KIND.
More tomorrow.