Mee and The Bee

This is a true and beautiful story, I have to say that because very few actually believe me when I tell it...

I have a forest. I don't own it, it doesn't belong in the family and its not named after me but I grew up there and I know it like the pages of my journal. I know where to find springs first may apple, the last red trillium, and the best spot to uncover fiddle heads. I had my first cigarette there, on a bridge with a friend in grade school, 'cause it was a safe place that felt like my own. It still is. I've buried treasure by the pond, nothing serious, just some rocks and crystals, but it was more the intention or memory that I was offering to the forest to digest and break down for me. I go there alone to breathe, with the kids and Husband to play, or with a friend to connect. I go there to remember who I am when I feel like I've forgotten.  I go there to pay a visit; because on days when I miss the forest I know she misses me to. I go there to feel at home.

One day, some years ago, maybe 7, I set off for my usual forest walk, not to sweat, but to slow down a little. I remember the spot exactly where I sat to take in the view of trees upon trees, a steep hill and a little bridge. I sat at the bottom of the hill, before the path forks, against a thick oak. And that's where I noticed a  Bee. At first it was an ordinary Bee on a crispy brown leaf, a sticks length away from my foot on the forest floor, until I realized that this was no ordinary Bee, but a dead Bee. I sat curious for a moment or two watching to see if the Bee would fly away, he didn't. I jostled the leaf he rested upon and nothing. I poked him with the stem of a leaf and still nothing. I sat and wondered, and again nothing. I felt quite emotional, how was I to get up and just walk away? I couldn't. I didn't. I picked that poor little thing up by the tip of one wing and cradled it on the palm of my hopeful left hand. I pulled my arched wrist towards my lips and I began singing for the Bee. We swayed side to side as I sung, out load, something like "fly away Bee, oh, fly away Bee, hum, da da daaah dada dum," over and over, for a few minutes at least. I couldn't take my eye off the Bee who lay only a whisper away from my nose and then suddenly, he up and flew away! I watched with out surprise as he took flight, with out wonder or question, only watching. Since I was alone, there was no one to high five, or laugh with, so I simply got up and walked away too. Me and the Bee, still good friends to this day!