I have always been afraid of bumble bees. Really, any kind of bee. Who wants to be stung by a bee! I’ve thought many times, God, why bees? It’s like a mosquito! What good are you except to bite me and make me itch. I have many sleepless nights where my mind wonders and after my trip to Philly, I began to think about the bumble bee. What are you good for, bumble bee? And why am I thinking about you.

I recently traveled to Philadelphia with Ashley McCrary (she lives in Auburn, Alabama now) for her 189^th treatment at Thomas Jefferson Hospital for ocular melanoma. Ashley and I have a long history together, which is for another day. As we were sitting in her treatment room, Lee, the art therapist, came in. Ashley asked me what I wanted to color. I laughed because SHE is the artist, and I can barely draw stick figures with my essential tremors. I began, for some odd reason, to tell her of the story about my first day back to work after Trey died. I sat at my desk and drew a bumble bee on a 2 x 3-inch sticky note ALL DAY LONG. I was looking at a monthly calendar my sister gave me that had the cutest (if they can be cute) bumble bee hovering over daisies. As I was telling Ashley this story, she was scrolling on her phone and I thought, you aren’t even listening to me…until she showed me a picture on her phone and said, “Like this?” My heart sank and became full at the same time. “Yes! Just like that!” She told Lee, we are drawing the bumble bee and the flowers. Of course, she was coloring, getting treatment, talking to nurses, doctors, etc. all at the same time while I was in a corner concentrating on drawing grass! Our little bee portraits turned out unique and very special.

Before traveling to Philly, I had thought what a great time it was going to be to CARE for Ashley during her treatment. Afterall, I am a caregiver. I envisioned hailing taxis, lots of conversation while resting, some tears, covering her with a blanket as she slept, getting her medication, diet cokes and crackers for nausea, and being prepared for the aftermath of the treatment itself; maybe even snuggling afterwards to ward off any waves of nausea while watching sports (we love all things SEC). (I do have a picture of her sleeping for just 45 minutes.) Those that know Ashley well and have traveled with her are probably laughing knowing this is NOT at all how Ashley rolls.

Without going into full detail of our trip, those that have traveled with Ashley know you travel with HER. I have not expressed this to her yet, but I left feeling very defeated. I wanted to help care for her in any small way, and I do not feel like I did that. If anything, SHE poured into me (and we even got our toes done!). I distinctly remember her telling me the story of Dave’s new company (her husband). The scripture they cling to for his company is Eph. 3:20:

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”

In listening to events that have happened over the last 9 to 10 years since we last saw each other, this scripture is very appropriate. Ask in faith, rely on Him, and He will make it come to pass under His will. Later that evening at dinner, we were walking to the lobby of the restaurant, and the stories of the evening with friends were rolling around in my head. I abruptly stopped, turned to Ashley and grabbed her shoulders (and scared her to death) and said, “Trey died at 3:20!” We hugged and cried. I know, one has really nothing to do with the other. But for me, God was speaking to me so clearly. Why???

I remember Ashley saying at some point during the trip that she did not know why God had put us together on the trip. Why did God put it so heavy on me that I MUST go with her when we had not really conversed in almost 10 years. While she was having treatment, so many medical personnel came and went from her room. Each time, she would look at me and say, “Lisa, tell them about Jay.” When I would give a brief synopsis, they would nod understanding what I was telling them, even to the point of saying, “Oh, that’s the P-16 gene.” YES! Someone knows! Mutant Melanoma! And information began to flow in my direction, unbelievable knowledge.

I think back to the bumble bee. Do you know that they beat their wings over 200 times a SECOND – faster than the nerve impulses to their muscles can fire. AND THEY STILL CAN’T FLY! Their bodies are so heavy, they can’t get very far off the ground. Their little wing muscles must be 86 degrees (to 111 degrees) to get them into the air. That will get the bee to the closest “flower cafeteria” for them to pollenate. They help pollenate flowers, fruit, and vegetables which we eat every day! Oh, God, your creations are so intricate. The bumble bee is a hard worker, and they are the lesser aggressive bee than any other. Heard the saying – busier than a bee? This is because they symbolize focus, teamwork, fertility, generosity, and prosperity! This is your bumble bee lesson for the day.

Knowing all this information, God laid it on my heart how much Ashley is like the bumble bee. I’m not inferring that she is heavy and can’t get off the ground! 😊 She doesn’t need to because she touches everyone around her; family, friends, uber drivers, hotel workers, and anyone that sits next to her on an airplane. They will be blessed by her testimony and I cannot express what a blessing it was to see God at work through her in just three days.

Buzz on, my friend. God is using you to fertilize the word of God in so many lives. The drawings of our bees are so special to me. The one she colored is hanging in my office to remind me that in whatever circumstance – cancer, job loss, financial difficulty, remain diligent and work hard where God has planted you.

Have cancer? Be a bumble bee and spread God’s word. I love you, Ashley McCrary. Our story is still being written.