Although I readily and
summarily dispatch with impunity to the appropriate level (based on degree of
invasiveness) of insect hell those creeping or flying things that happen to
invade my personal space, especially indoors, when in the great outdoors* I prefer to allow God’s little
creatures to go about doing their buggy things in peace.
Thus, it was, this
morning while riding about on the scooter, that I found my heart breaking for
the small bee that’s never going to make it back to his hive because
unbeknownst to either of us he was on a collision course that would lead him
directly into the path of my helmet. He smacked into it with a pronounced thunk and
bounced off onto the crook of my left elbow where he promptly in great
confusion plunged his small stinger into the same area where for the past four
days I’d been picked and prodded with needles during my hospital stay. I flicked him off me hastily and
pulled his tiny barb from my flesh as
quickly as I could.
I don’t think much venom
got inside me because the pain was brief and my skin didn’t swell, but I felt
terrible for the poor little guy, losing his life merely because he happened to
have been in the wrong place at the wrong time. I’m certain that he didn’t have a thought process like, “Oh! This guy’s helmet hit me so I’m going to
sting him,” going through his small brain.
His act of suicide was totally accidental I don’t know if they’ll remember him at the hive or do anything to
immortalize him for his giving all he had to give, but if I’m watching
Jeopardy later and scratching my elbow furiously I’ll be sure to toast his
memory with whatever sweet libation I happen to be enjoying. Perhaps some mead. It would seem fitting.
Not the actual bee of whom I write. Just a random bee in a picture I took in 1997 when digital photography as we've come to know it was still in its infancy.
3 comments:
Ouch! I hate bees. I got nailed by a Yellow Jacket working in the yard recently. It stung. I always wear a jacket when I ride. Even a light one might have helped save you from pains.
I've managed to get through the warm season without a single bee, wasp or hornet in my helmet. That may be the first time. I've learned over the years to grit my teeth, stay calm and hope I can bring the scooter to a halt and get the helmet off before being stung. The first few times I sort of lost myself to panic and caused some stings.
Was riding through Williamsport recently and thought of you. The ride wasn't planned otherwise I may have invited you to lunch.
Hope all is well.
All is well, Steve. Thanks! I'd love to have lunched with you in Williamsport. If you're coming out again with a plan, please let me know!
-Joe
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