Part I: The Inspiration of an Unintended Beekeeper

PUBLISHED ON: 08.10.2013

Life surprises me in ways that are not earth shattering or life changing but are in response to unique extraordinary events that are outside of my ordinary experiences.  These moments often provide me with clarity in this journey we call life.  The inspiration from our son the beekeeper was one of those experiences.

If you told me that my young adult son would be inspired by his uncle who raises bees as a hobby and he would spend almost a year learning everything he could about bees…and that inspiration would lead to a real live bee hive, I would have squinted my eyes, twisted the corners of my mouth, shook my head in both directions and said “Probably not”…Well, what do I know, and this is proof that obviously, I don’t know much.

His passage into the foray of beekeeping was inspiring.  The inspiration that I was experiencing was the joy of sharing these moments with my son.  Each time I recognized more sharply that our son was  defining his own journey.  His interests are clearly expressed in his own style, and they are 100% owned by him.  This is the part where parents bump their fists, smile and make note that we are officially spectators now, and the journey belongs to him.

 The arrival of his Italian Honey Bees
Checking on his queen who will be introduced into the hive in her marshmallow cage (yes, you read that right…her marshmallow cage)
His focus was razor sharp and his calmness with handling the bees was impressive
His younger brother who was in the background whispered “My brother the Bee whisperer”
The release of the bees were a success.

The journey begins here. Beekeeping is well into its third month. The bees are active and healthy.

  • I think this is a bold and most fascinating hobby. And look at the rewards…..who doesn't love honey?

  • My stepdaughter raises bees..He's really good if that's all he wears as protection.

  • I am humming the theme from \”Ulee's Gold\” and thinking how lucky that queen bee is!! Love your beekeeper and envy you that delicious honey.Best,Bonnie

  • Bee-keeping…how adventurous!

  • Beekeeping is a joy. My mother was a beekeeper so I grew up helping her as she took care of her bees and when they swarmed she would be called to come pick them up. We had bees a couple of years ago but we had too many predator bees and we hope to get some more later. You will learn so much from them and I know you will enjoy the honey.

  • My dad had a few hives when I was growing up. We always had a comb of honey on the kitchen table. So good! Glad to see your son has found something that he loves!

  • This is wonderful. What an impressive young man. I've always wanted to raise bees!

  • One of my boys learned beekeeping and then promptly moved halfway across the country. 🙁 It's something I've always wanted to do- I hope to take a class this winter. I hope your bees do well! 🙂

  • That is BRILLIANT!! No wonder you're so proud. 🙂 I love that you stand back and cheer him on in this pursuit of his. 🙂

  • Amazing daring! And the local honey will be so healthy. I am in awe of such dedication! (Although unlike some people I am not terrified of bees, although I keep a safe distance).

  • What a cool guy! This is a secret desire of mine. Nothing more noble than beekeeping especially with the epidemic of hive decline these days.

  • your son is a beekeeper? How fabulous!

  • Dear Velva, It is a journey raising and watching our sons and daughters. It is a blessed journey. (I love the whisper from his brother) adorable. I wish him the best with the bees. Blessings dear, Catherine xo

  • Can I have your life for like 2 hours? LOL. Sorry I haven't commented in a while just getting my bearings again. But it's so cool that you're beekeeping, when I read your FB posts a while ago I was so intrigued. Can not wait to hear more. I miss the honey I can get in Europe, for now all I can get is the commercial stuff. I gotta find japanese honey asap. It took me a while to learn the German markets, no I have to 'learn' the japanese ones. this will be be fun, not really it will. again, i can not wait to read more on this. Stay a inspiration!!!!

  • It's great to see a young man being interested in nature and not just electronic things.

  • I'm with Larry. It's wonderful to see a young man interested in something related to food and nature instead of playing around on the internet. I say congratulations to his parents.Sam

  • If our circumstances allow when we move next year, this is something I would like to do. It is really great to see a young man with such a marvellous interest, you must be very proud. And I have to say, you look nowhere near old enough to have a son that age.

  • This is so cool! I can't wait to hear more about it. Definitely not something I know about at all.

  • I've really enjoyed learning and following through your facebook posts about this.

  • Sooo wonderfully awesome!! I LOVE raw honey!! In fact – my post was about honey today!! Fancy that!! I know you must be very proud of your son and the responsibility he has taken on!! Hope he shares this with his friends and hope that more kids get involved with bee keeping!

  • The world of bees is surely fascinating! I know people who raise them in the Cedar forests up in the mountains in Lebanon and their honey is supposed to be so healthy and cure so many ills! Would love to learn the art one day.

  • Oh, I know what you mean Velva – many times we think we're in control and life happens. WE stand, we wonder, we admire and thankfully, most opportunities make us grateful and thankful.What will our kids be when they grow up? I think now I know that our roles are to give them all we can, with the very best intentions and watch LIFE. HAPPEN.Well done to your son, the beekeeper!

  • So cool!!! Cant wait to see the progress!!!

  • BRAVO! Beekeeping has been such a wonderful opportunity in my life! I hope he has great success!

  • What a beautiful post Velva. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed it. You must be so proud of your son for paving his way into the world of beekeeping. Some dream, others do. I look forward to reading his progress. Thank you so much for sharing…

  • I have had the honey your brother harvests and it's very good. I wish your son the same success. This is an amazing journey and I thank you for sharing it with us!

  • I think this is fantastic! And thanks for sharing these great photos. Keep us posted about his adventure.

  • I think it's great that he is interested in bee keeping. My husband uncle raises bees and is always giving us the best honey!

  • How amazing. We need more people like him who are willing to learn and try something different and new. I can't wait to hear more about this adventure. We need more bees in our world! Thank you for sharing!

  • I have always admired anyone who is a beekeeper! I love local honey.

  • oh hands up to him! You couldn't pay me a million dollars to go near those bees. I am deafly afraid of them. I love their honey but can't stand the bees themselves and I have never even been stung before? Go figure

  • The neighbor behind us has bees right near the property line. I haven't had any problem with them. . . UNTIL THE FIGS BEGAN RIPENING. I don't think they're honey bees, they're figoholics! They'll have to duke it out with the birds. I'll buy mine at the farmer's market.

  • I wish I had someone to teach me like that. Way to go!

  • The Bee Whisperer 🙂 What an amazing hobby for your son, Velva. Who knows what path this will take! I will look forward to Part II.

  • My Mil had bees in her country house and had a Young man that took care of her bees, so your son just reminded me of it. Congrats to him, this is a wonderful hobby for a Young man. Big hugs,FABBY

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