Dear Avery,
I had a “me” day, today.
Woke up and read a new book in bed. After that, I stumbled into a new coffee shop. A group of older gentlemen in their 90’s sat around in a circle, laughing out loud and SINGING with each other, and more laughter ensued. This was definitely the reason I walked in today. Walking in to pure joy – plus a french press coffee and a ham and cheese breakfast bagel. < Bliss>
Leaving with a smile on my face, I headed to church. Sat through a message on “Is my good, good enough?” The answer is yes. Your “good”, is good enough for God. You are good enough. PHEW!
Switched gears and went straight for my 2nd favorite place in Orange County: Balboa Island. Walked the perimeter of the island and while listening to one of my favorite podcasts: Invisiliblia. I listened to a story about a couple who’s lively hood was bee-keeping. They built their whole life around it, made a ton of sacrifices for it, and loved these bees like children. Until one day, someone stole them all — a BEE Heist?! What a crazy and random thing to occur. But it happened. The podcast was focused on the psychology of having your lively hood get ripped away – suddenly. All that you knew, all that you worked for, all that you loved – gone one day. What happens next: Anger. Sadness. Grief. Burden. The anxiety of starting over.
We’ve all been there. Whether on a grand scale, or small. Something or someone you’ve been so used to having: a job, a relationship, a friendship, a home, a pet — one day POOF. Gone.
Now what?
Well, you have a choice. Do you stay in anger and sadness – if so, for how long? Or do you recognize the pain of those bees leaving your life, and start fresh with a new hive? Or do you start a new farm raising llamas? It’s up to you.
I ended my day with a trip to the beach. And given the way the universe likes to give me signs… towards the end of my time there: a single bee landed on my towel near me.
<Of course, right?>
I don’t remember the last time I even noticed a bee. But this one didn’t come near my sunscreen scented skin, this one stayed ahead of me – stopped flying for 30 seconds. Stayed still. I watched it fly away, and from there I noticed a pod of dolphins swimming in the distance.
You should know by now, that I love metaphors — and that little signs in the universe like this bring me joy, and unlocks a understanding that the world is so much bigger than myself. I feel like this bee landed on my towel at the right time. It represented my life changing on a major scale, I sat with it, was still with it, and wasn’t afraid of it — like I usually am when I see bees. And the dolphins were a sign of hope and peace for the future.
Major life changes will happen, Avery, inevitably. Sometimes suddenly. When they do, a range of emotions will occur. I hope you give your self space to understand and own your feelings. I hope you have someone to share them with openly (call me any time!). And I hope that if you ever blame yourself for being the cause of that change, that you’ll be easy on yourself.
Bee brave as you face new changes.
Bee strong with whatever the world throws at you.
Just let it bee.
With love,
Aunt Megs
With Love, Aunt Megs 