Saturday 27 September 2008

The Old Girl.........and the bee......

The old girl is heading towards her winter rest.........she has had another good year......much blossom, many bees visited her blooms and apples in abundance.......
she has lost some more bark from her trunk and there are a few more holes appearing but at this moment she is sound........
She stands above me like some fearsome creature, if only she could speak, she would have so much to tell..................when the hurricane hit, the wind speed here reached 100 miles an hour..............millions of trees fell in the South East of England......indeed the orchard in this garden fell to the ground...........but she did not, strong and mighty she survived..................can we not see reflections of our own lives in nature. I think of Mr P......many years ago now he fought cancer....an operation.......treatment that left him exhausted and worn.........ten years of check ups. Now he stands before me with his battle scars and like my beloved tree he is a stronger man for it..............it was not his time...........it was not the old girls time..............I walk away thinking of my life, my garden, and there on the ground..............

a humble bumble........he will not see another day...........this is his time................


I pick him up and gently put him into the arms of the old apple tree.............sleep well..............




36 comments:

Tricia Ryder said...

Aw - that was lovely Cheryl. Almost in tears - of the nicest type though I hasten to add.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

What a grand ole Dame you have in your garden Cheryl. It is fitting that the bumble rest in her arms as it probably helped polinate her blossoms this past spring. I am glad to hear you are both well and happy.

Libbys Blog said...

Awwwwwwwww! Lovely apple tree, I bet it could tell some stories!

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Oh Cheryl, I did have tears in my eyes as I read your post. I am so glad your husband and the old apple tree have weathered their storms. Do you have any idea how old the apple tree might be? What a lovely gesture to give the little bee. I did much the same for a lizard I found that had died in my front flower bed. A small statue had been knocked over by the roofers we had here this past spring, and the poor lizard had the misfortune of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. I buried him at the feet of the statue and planted a mum there. Now I am enjoying the blooms of the mum and am reminded of that little lizard.

Shirley said...

Beautiful Cheryl, simply beautiful :-D

Cheryl said...

Tkue Tricia....

Hi Lisa....we are indeed well and happy at this time......

Cheryl said...

Hi Morning glories in round rock.....tku for your lovely comments....I love the lizard story, what a lovely thing to do.....

Cheryl said...

Hi Morning Glory....the old apple tree is around eighty years old......

Cheryl said...

Thank you Shirl.....

marmee said...

the lessons in nature certainly parallel life so many times. it is a good reminder to be diligent in our pursuits. like gardening, taking care of the plants, creatures, and people around us.
my darling husband was tragically burned and electrocuted 14 years ago this august. he was burned 90 percent third degree burns. but he wanted to live and live we have.
we had 5 children and abigail came after. what a blessing to have new life.
i love your old apple tree and the homes it creates for the living things in your garden.
you and i are survivors, too!

Malik Imran Awan said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Pat said...

Lovely story.
Their SURVIVORS !!

Kim said...

What a lovely, lovely story and gesture for the bee. I believe the tree knows the reverence you feel for her. Thank you for sharing her with us.

I don't blog with blogger, but I wanted to leave a comment bad enough to log in. If you want to see my blog, go to Instrument of Grace.

Michelle said...

Aaw mum, you gave me a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. To see things through your eyes, even just for a moment makes me realise just how lucky I am to have such a beautiful person as my mum.
Love you forever,
Mich
xxx

Wendy said...

What a poignant post. The Apple Tree, Crone of your garden, gently cradling humble bumble to his final resting place.
I am sure it was no coincidence you found him and tucked him into Her strong and comforting arms.

I am happy Mr. P. is strong and well today, as Life seems to throw us curves when we least expect it.

Q said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Q said...

Dear Cheryl,
I was a bit misty eyed when I wrote earlier and made so many errors I decided to try again!
Blessed be your bee.
Nature is intelligent and has life spans perfect for each species.
I hope when it is my time I find an old tree to rest in in too.
You have a kind and loving spirit.
Thank you for sharing this special tree and your love of the bee.
It is an honour to call you friend.
Namaste,
Sherry

Cheryl said...

Dear Mich......it is good to see things through anothers eyes....sometimes it makes things just a little clearer.....

Love you loads.....Mum

Cheryl said...

Hi Wendy.....she is indeed a crone.....and I am heading that way.....my life here has taught me so much and I feel I still have a lot to learn.......I await my lessons with anticipation......

Cheryl said...

Dear Marmee......your husband obviously has great courage.....I wish him well in all he does......and your lovely children will I am sure be so proud of their father.....

you are right we are survivors.....

Cheryl said...

Sherry.....my dear friend....I knew if anyone would understand this post it would be you.......thank you

I to, when my time comes, would like to shelter in the arms of the old apple tree.....she is truly sacred to me, I treasure her, my garden would not be complete without her.......

Dawny P said...

I foud that post very moving Cheryl. Absolutely beautiful. I hope the old girl has many years left in her. I think she is very special. Hope you have a great weekend, and I had absolutely wondeful news from Mich (ohhh it's so exciting) so she made my weekend fabulous xxxxx

Cheryl said...

Thank you Dawny....


I am so glad that Michelle made your weekend....she makes me happy every day....

I am sure you and her will have a very good working relationship....

My old dog has just had a stroke....she has been to the vets and had some treatment......I am worried though, time is not on her side............I wait.....

Anonymous said...

Aw Cheryl...How beautiful`....you are sooo `sweet` hope you and yours are well....
Have a lovely week:)~X~

Cheryl said...

Hi Terrie....thank you.....

We are all fine....have not heard from you for ages, hope you are well and the family...xxx

Mary said...

Dearest Cheryl, I can hardly reply through these tears...you are so like me...feeling with your heart and carrying the burden, sometimes very well, sometimes not.

You cared for the bee and the apple tree. I know you will care for your sweet dog during her last, wonderful days (weeks & months).

Hugs and love,
Mary

ladyandthetramp said...

Dear Cheryl, I had an eerie feeling about your place at lunchtime - a glorious Sunday yet no Nella chasing around and no glimpses of you at home - most unusual. Now I know why.
We're thinking of you all - and little Polly especially. When her time does come (and for your sake, I hope it's a while yet), tell her not to be frightened, there are lots of wonderful people at Rainbow Bridge too.
You know we'll do anything, anytime
lots of love
Lady and the Tramp xxx

Leanne said...

lovely post cheryl

blessings, Leanne x

beckie said...

Dear Cheryl, my heart is heavy with thoughts of you. Those who have lost pets-no, really they are members of our family-know what you are going through now amd we are saying our prayers for you.

Like the care you give the old tree and the tinest bee, so you have given to Polly. I know she feels safe and loved.

Tke care dear Cheryl. I will hold you in my prayers.

A Larrapin Garden said...

What a lovely, poetic tribute. It really touched my heart. The whole post is a poem.

Thank you!
Leigh from A Larrapin Garden

Cheryl said...

Dear Mary...tku so much.....we have had more phone calls to the vet....we wait till morning.....at the moment it seems forever.......

You are so right, we are very similar people......we carry burdens and hold them close.....

Cheryl said...

Thank you lady and the tramp....it has been a long day and at the moment the old girl is struggling....my heart aches.....

Cheryl said...

Thank you dear Beckie......it never gets any easier does it.....dear Polly is not herself at all.....we have been in contact with the vet twice this evening........we wait tonight....I will see the vet first thing in the morning.......where there is life, there is hope.....I live with hope in my heart.......

NCmountainwoman said...

I saw your comment on Mary's View and just wanted to let you know that I'm glad I found your blog. This is a great post and I will enjoy reading your archives and following your post.

As a dog lover, I must tell you how sorry I am about your dog. We have been through the experience of losing a dog twice. Only a dog lover and one who has lost two marvelous ones can understand what you are going through. Our thoughts will be with you.

Cheryl said...

Thank you ncmountainwoman....I to have lost dogs before, you think it gets easier, it does not....your heart still breaks.....I appreciate your kind words.....

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Hi Cheryl. I noticed on a couple of blogs that you mentioned your dog had a stroke this weekend. I was so sorry to read this. I hope she is resting easily and will be able to recuperate. It is so frustrating when a beloved animal has a medical condition because they can't tell you where it hurts or what is going on.

Sorry I had to put this message on your blog but I don't seem to have your email address.

I hope all goes well.