Golden Boy Lighthouse
Honeycomb shaped accent light made of many varying layers of birch with brass accents. Includes stainless steel toggle On/Off switch, rayon braided cord and 35 individual lights. Made to order.
The Story
One of my favorite stories my dad used to tell was about his brief adventures with his pet honey bee, Golden Boy. He spent several summers between schooling working for an apiary near his family home in Northern British Columbia. One day, after returning home from the fields, he discovered an injured bee had followed him home, hitching a ride amongst his red curls. The bee was alive but was no longer prone to flying, so he placed it by a dish of sugar water before going to bed and was pleased to find his friend still there the following morning. After eating breakfast with his new friend, he gently placed him back in his hair and drove to work. He continued this ritual for several days, taking his new friend along with him on his tasks, talking to him and sharing his mind as he primarily worked alone and tended to the thousands of hives across many acres. One afternoon several days later, he dropped an active tray after been startled by a nearby black bear sniffing around the fenced perimeter. He never wore a shirt or vail (or any kind of protection,) so he ran back to the truck hundreds of yards away with his arms flailing, stamping out as many as he could while they stung him relentlessly. He described how incensed they were; stinging him everywhere, the fabric of the seats and headliner, even their own reflections in the mirror. It wasn't until a while had passed and hundreds of swollen stings later that he realized in the chaos that Golden Boy was among those that he had crushed with his hands.
Everyone who knew him recognized he had a gift for storytelling. He had a conviction and earnestness that disarmed many, regardless of their beliefs or place in the world. What I always got from this story - and I believe was a common thread in many of his musings - was that no matter how small or seemingly insignificant something may appear to be, it is precious, and that joy and friendship can be found in the most unlikely of places. Beauty can be found anywhere - we just need to be willing to look for it without necessarily worrying in what form we will find it.
I call this piece the Golden Boy Lighthouse for him: knowing he's still looking for and finding unique beauty and unlikely friends wherever he is now.