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The story of the bee and its connection to Olivia’s passing is nothing short of extraordinary—a series of signs that brought comfort, hope, and a sense of her continued presence to those who loved her most.
It all began on the day Olivia’s family went shopping for the dress she would wear for her services. Knowing this would be the last dress she would ever wear, the significance of the moment weighed heavily. They spent the entire day searching through multiple stores before finally finding the perfect one. After purchasing the dress, they noticed a small symbol on the buttons. At first glance, they assumed it was a butterfly—but upon closer inspection, they realized it was a bumblebee.
Later that day, while shopping for a plant to place on the back porch (in preparation for the many friends and family who would be visiting), they stopped at a nursery. There, sitting behind the register, was a ceramic pot adorned with a large bumblebee. Without hesitation, they looked at one another and knew they had to bring it home.
As they got back into the car, Olivia’s aunt glanced down and noticed her keychain. It featured a bee with the words “Bee Kind” inscribed on it—something she had completely forgotten she’d purchased with Olivia during a vacation the previous summer.
Moved by these meaningful moments, they later gathered with other family members at an outdoor café. While waiting in line to order, they shared the series of bee encounters that had unfolded that day. When they reached the register, they were stunned to see a stack of stickers featuring a bumblebee and the words “Bee Kind”—the same message from the keychain. They bought them all. From that day forward bees began to appear in remarkable and meaningful ways.
When the family shared the story of the bee symbolism with the designer of her dress, the designer was deeply touched and kindly sent an assortment of the same bee-shaped buttons used on the dress to be shared with loved ones. In a heartfelt tribute, Olivia’s cousins have begun incorporating the bee buttons into their wedding attire and special occasions—a cherished tradition that will continue to honor her memory for years to come.
One especially touching instance happened at her cousin Rebecca’s wedding. During the outdoor ceremony, a bee gently landed on Rebecca’s veil and stayed there for much of the service, visible to everyone in attendance. It felt as though Olivia was right there, joyfully celebrating alongside them.
Bees have long carried deep symbolism across cultures and traditions. They represent focus, hard work, dedication, and community. Spiritually, bees are symbols of wisdom, love, rebirth, and guardianship of the natural world. It is often said that when a bee appears, it’s a gentle reminder to stay focused, live with purpose, and carry on with grace.
For Olivia’s loved ones, the bee has become more than a symbol—it’s a comforting reminder that she is still near, guiding and inspiring them just as she always did.
“The bee is more honorable then other animals, not because she labors, but because she labors for others.” – St. John Chrysostom
