Day 126: Katrina

Maybe you have noticed that I am now more than one third of the way through this year of pie baking and giving. It’s been an interesting journey thus far and some of my friends have helped me along the way.

Katrina is one of those friends. She has helped me find two pie recipients thus far – and both of them seemed pleased to get a pie and become a part of this voyage. And today, as I was driving to deliver dinner to someone (with my pie in the car) I thought of Katrina.

We met about fifteen years ago. Katrina was a neighbor of my friend Ken who was nearly crippled from Lyme’s Disease. Because I often brought meals to Ken, I got to know her. It seemed to me that everytime I stopped by, Katrina was there smiling and I really appreciated how helpful she was to Ken – even though he insisted he didn’t need any.

One day, I suggested to Ken that he might consider asking his friends to help him. I was thrilled when a short time later, he held a meeting for his friends and told them what kind of help he needed. Katrina and I were both part of that group of friends who volunteered to assit Ken with a variety of tasks. What I remember most about that group is that many of us had names that began with the letter “K” – Katrina, Karen, Kate, Ken, etc.

Sadly, Ken’s condition continuted to deteriorate and he passed away due to complications from his disease. It was a devastating loss to our community. However, if there is a silver lining in this story, it is that I met some wonderful people through my association with Ken – and Katrina was one of them.

When I arrived at Katrina’s house tonight she saw me with the pie (really it was a lemon tart) and was delighted. Somehow I got the feeling that she was not expecting to receive a pie this evening. And that’s okay – because I really liked surprising her and seeing her so happy. I think that’s what friendship is all about.

The most I can do for my friend is simply be his friend.
Henry David Thoreau