🐝 What’s Your Why?
I never thought I’d be a beekeeper. Especially not with a bee allergy. But here I am—suited up, smoker in hand, tending to hives like it’s second nature.
Is it the honey? Nope.
Is it the thrill of facing my fears? Not really.
It’s love. It’s purpose. It’s my why.
My wife used to be the beekeeper in our family. She found peace in the hum of the hive, joy in the rhythm of nature, and pride in the jars of golden sweetness we’d share with friends. But ALS has slowly taken that away from her. So I stepped in—not just to keep the bees alive, but to keep her joy alive.
🌱 Getting Outside Yourself
Taking over the bees wasn’t just about helping her—it became a mirror. A moment of reflection. Why do we do what we do? What drives us to give that extra bit of ourselves, even when it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient?
Sometimes, stepping outside yourself is exactly what brings you back to who you are.
There’s something magical about doing for others. It’s not always grand gestures—it’s the quiet ones. The ones that say, “I see you. I’m here. You matter.”
💛 Dignity in the Everyday
Dignity isn’t just about enduring hardship—it’s about how we carry ourselves through it. It’s the grace in showing up, the strength in being vulnerable, and the courage to keep going when things get tough.
In our daily lives, dignity shows up in small ways:
- In how we speak to ourselves when we’re struggling.
- In how we treat others when they’re hurting.
- In how we honor our own needs while still being present for someone else.
It’s easy to lose yourself in caregiving or service. But dignity reminds us that we matter too. That our needs, our rest, our joy—they’re not selfish. They’re essential.
🍯 The Joy of Sharing
One of my favorite moments is seeing my wife smile when she gets to share our honey or veggies from the garden with friends. That smile? That’s dignity in action. It’s the joy of giving, the pride of nurturing something, and the warmth of knowing it brings happiness to someone else.
There’s something deeply human about sharing what we’ve grown—whether it’s a jar of honey, a basket of tomatoes, or a story from the heart. It connects us. It heals us. It reminds us that even in hard times, there’s still sweetness to be found.
🌟 A Drop of Hope
Maybe your “why” is your family. Maybe it’s your community. Maybe it’s a cause, a dream, or a quiet promise you made to yourself years ago.
Whatever it is, hold onto it. Let it guide you. Let it remind you that even in the hardest seasons, there’s still beauty to be found.
And maybe—just maybe—your actions will be a drop of hope for someone else.
Growing up working on the family’s truck farm in Tennessee, Len learned a strong work ethic and valuable life skills. Len is uniquely gifted with the skills and knowledge for home automation and has made daily tasks doable for Natalie so she can use her eyes to turn lights off and on, adjust heating and use the bidet and tv. He also designed their master suite and wet room with roll in shower. All of this adds up to a much better quality of life for Natalie.
Leave a Reply