Prep for a Three Berry Pie; the finished pie
A few weeks ago, Emile and I went to a Rotary gathering at a nearby winery. There we met with other Rotarians and also with people who are considering joining our club. During one conversation, the topic of my pie project arose and I mentioned that sometimes I really had to think about who “needed a pie” that day. At that moment, the gentleman I was talking to stopped me with a question: “Does anyone ever really need a pie?” Before I could answer, his lovely girlfriend piped up and in an exasperated tone said, “It’s not about the pie!”
She immediately understood that, for me, giving away pies has little to do with the crust, or the berries, or any of the other tangible ingredients. Instead, the only ingredient that truly matters is the love that is added during the process of making, baking, and delivering the confection. The recipient can’t see this… but they can feel it. At least that is what I’ve been told: the many pie recipients who have reported back to me have shared just how good receiving a pie made them feel. Of course, hopefully the pie tasted delicious… but more importantly I believe the knowledge that they were thought of with love made each person feel wonderful. That love just happened to have been transformed from thought to pastry—it’s kind of cool when you think about it!
In light of the horrific news of the killing of the nine church members of the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, my efforts to make a difference in a world that can be so evil truly seem insignificant. My heart grieves with the families of those slain, because the senselessness of their deaths is incomprehensible. However, my soul also feels great hope because those same grieving people offered forgiveness. I am both humbled and in in awe of their faith and spirit.
The question that we all face is “How do we move forward from here?” How I wish I knew the answer! This quote by Edmund Burke comes to mind:
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
In my heart I know that we must do something. What we do will be different for each of us, but I believe that if we act with the desire to do good—and if we act with love—we’ll be moving in the right direction.
“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.”
~ Thomas Aquinas
Pie a Day Give Away 