Telling the Bees

Sunshine Strategies RadioTelling the Bees Jan. 23, 2026

Hello friends, and welcome back to Sunshine Strategies Radio.

Before we begin, I owe you an apology.

These past few months included an unplanned pause—one I didn’t anticipate and didn’t explain in advance. Thank you for your patience, your kindness, and for holding space while I stepped away. Sometimes life asks us to slow down without warning, and I listened.

That pause is, in many ways, part of the story I want to share with you today.

Have you ever heard the phrase “tell the bees” when someone passes away?

I didn’t even realize I was grieving like I was—let alone that an old ritual would help me understand how to move forward.But it did.

I’d heard the phrase before, though I couldn’t tell you when or where. Out of curiosity, I finally looked it up. It turns out the ritual comes from Europe, from the belief that bees were a link between worlds—that if you didn’t tell them of a death, they might stop producing honey, or leave the hive altogether.

Telling the bees was a sign of respect.A way of acknowledging loss, so life could continue.

Now, I should be honest: I don’t keep bees. I never have. I don’t know where I first learned the phrase. But I realized recently that, in my own way, I tell the woods.

A dear friend—a fellow woman of the earth—passed away. Her services are tomorrow. And as I sat on the land she had personally tended, land she worked to return to its native roots, I realized no one had told it yet.

No one had told the river.Or the birds.Or the soil she loved so fiercely.

So I did.

It was warm for January—about fifty-four degrees—as I sat beside the Sangamon River, a place she and I both loved. I whispered to the water and its quiet inhabitants beneath the surface. To the blue jays and the lone eagle overhead. To the snowdrops and bluebells sleeping patiently in the soil.

Our friend is gone.Her work here has ended.She is already missed.

I paused there—not to linger, but to acknowledge.A moment of respect.Reverence.Recognition.

And then I continued the walk.

And that, I think, is the heart of the ritual of telling the bees—or in my case, telling the earth. It is saying: yes, our friend may be gone, but I am still here. Ready to help tend what she loved.

Not because I can replace her—I can’t—but because many of us were changed by her goodness, her fierceness, her care. Together, we will continue tending the things she left behind.

Her hive is just infinitely bigger now.

Grief, for me, is a strange and uncomfortable place. It’s liminal—an in-between space. Between before and after. Between who my friend was and who I’m becoming without her. Between the community I once knew and the one that must now carry on amid so much distrust and uncertainty.

That space can feel familiar. Almost comforting.

But it isn’t meant to be permanent.

Liminal places are meant to be crossed, not camped in. Like a spring puddle that holds water only long enough for the frogs to hatch. It serves its purpose—and then it dries up so life can move forward.

That’s why rituals matter.

They give us footing.They help us mark what has changed.So we can take the next step.

Last year, my ritual was whispering to the woods about my friend Bill. This year, it was my friend Maige. Today, standing in the bright sun of a cold January afternoon, that ritual helped me move ahead—still missing her, but not stuck.

If you are grieving—quietly, unexpectedly, or in ways you haven’t named yet—I hope you find your own way to tell the bees.

Or the river.Or the land beneath your feet.

Not to forget those we’ve lost—but to let the living world know they mattered, and that their work is being carried forward.

Thank you for being here.Thank you for your patience.And thank you for continuing this work—together—here at Sunshine Strategies Radio.

And as always, we can’t forget the news.  It’s been coming hot and heavy lately, so here are soem stories that you definitely don’t want to miss. Let’s jump in.

🧊 Weather & Safety: Dangerous Cold and Snow Ahead

First up — if you’ve been feeling the chill, you’re not imagining it. A dangerous cold blast is moving across Illinois this weekend with plummeting temperatures, heavy winds, and accumulating snow expected across much of the region. Meteorologists are warning of sub-zero wind chills, and local plumbers and officials are urging families to prepare for frozen pipes and property damage. Make sure outdoor pets have shelter, insulate water pipes, and check on elderly neighbors who may be especially vulnerable to the cold. (Jacksonville Journal-Courier)

Some Central Illinois school districts, including Bloomington-Normal’s District 87 and others, already shifted to e-learning days as a safety precaution due to the extreme cold. (WGlt)

🚨 State News: Automatic Record Sealing Law Goes Into Effect

In Springfield, a major change is coming for many residents: Illinois’s new ‘Clean Slate’ law has been signed into law. Under this law, hundreds of thousands of eligible people with non-violent criminal records will have those records automatically sealed without needing to file paperwork. Supporters say this will make it easier to find jobs, rent housing, and move forward, though serious offenses like DUIs are excluded. Implementation will roll out over the next few years and require coordination between agencies. (Jacksonville Journal-Courier)

👶 New State Bill Affects Families & Drivers with Autism

Another bill moving through the Illinois legislature could help families with autistic children who drive. The proposed Blue Envelope Program would provide voluntary packets to autistic drivers for use during traffic stops. The packets include documents and communication guidance for officers to reduce misunderstandings. It’s designed to support safe, respectful interactions between police and neurodiverse individuals. (The Telegraph)

🏆 Human Interest: Illinois Family’s Fight for Rare Disease Treatment

On a more personal note — the story of Megan Kempf, an Illinois mom raising awareness and funds as her two children battle a rare and devastating form of childhood dementia. Megan’s daughter is already experiencing rapid cognitive decline while her son approaches the age when symptoms typically begin. While a promising therapy may be available in the next couple of years, access remains limited and costly, driving the Kempf family to advocate for expanded treatment options. (People.com)

💰 Feel-Good Story: $3 Million Lottery Win in Illinois

Now for something to smile about: a central Illinois woman from Vandalia won a $3 million top prize on a holiday scratch-off ticket. She plans to use the winnings for her family’s future but says she’ll keep running her cleaning business — and take a well-deserved family vacation. (The Telegraph)

🌍 Seismic Activity Felt Across Region

Don’t worry if you felt a sudden shake earlier this week — a 3.8-magnitude earthquake centered near Ohlman, Illinois was felt across parts of central and southern Illinois and even into neighboring states. No damage was reported, but scientists remind us the Midwest has important fault systems capable of producing noticeable quakes. (The Edwardsville Intelligencer)

🩸 Community Resource Alert: Blood Donation Needs

Local health officials are sounding the alarm on a severe blood shortage. The American Red Cross is urging donors to come forward — a critical need that affects surgeries, trauma care, and patients with life-threatening conditions. If you’re healthy and able, consider scheduling a donation soon. (WGlt?

🧠 Health Spotlight: Suicide Trends & Support Resources

Finally, a sobering note: recent health data shows a rise in suicides in Morgan County, even as statewide rates level off. Mental health experts stress expanding access to care, reducing stigma, and utilizing resources like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out — help is available. (Jacksonville Journal-Courier)

That’s your Central Illinois news wrap for the week. Stay safe, check on your neighbors, and we’ll be back soon with more stories that matter to your family. I’m Jen McMillin, founder of Sunshine Strategies, saying thanks for listening.