My friend Caroline asked me to bring a pie to her neighbor. She said that this woman had experienced difficult times and she wanted to send her something good. I told her that I thought it was a wonderful idea and would plan to bring a pie to her neighbor in the next few days.
This afternoon I called Caroline to ask if today might be a good day to bring a pie to her neighbor. Caroline answered yes and I put the still warm apple pie in my pickup to bring to her neighbor. When I arrived, I took the pie to her neighbor’s house and knocked at the door.
The woman who answered the door showed no expression. I immediately told her that her neighbor Caroline had suggested that I might bring her a pie to brighten her day because she had recently experienced some difficult times. And the lady who answered the door told me that she and her husband would not eat the pie. I explained to her my pie project and that Caroline had sincerely wanted to help her and that was the reason for the gift of the pie… and the lady acknowledged the gift but refused it and closed the door.
This was the first time in 251 days that my pie has been refused. I suppose I should have seen it coming but I did not. Instead I was surprised. But all I could think was “how sad”. That woman had been given a gift and she could not accept it. What must have happened in her life for her to refuse the kindness of strangers?
After the pie was refused I returned to Caroline and told her what had happened. I explained that it was the first time I had experienced a refusal of a pie. We were silent for a moment and then Caroline said, “Have you seen the man who sings Christmas Carols all day at Bi-Mart?” I had to admit that I had not seen him. Caroline asked if I would bring him the pie and of course I said “Yes.”
A few moments later I walked up to a man who was singing “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire” while he was collecting money for the Salvation Army. I told him about my pie journey and offered him the pie and he gladly accepted it and I couldn’t help but think that the ability to accept a gift is a blessing in itself. This man did not know me at all but was willing to take a gift from me. To me that says that he still has hope for the human race… that he still believes that people can be good. And that was something that Caroline’s neighbor could not do.
Tonight I send my best wishes to Alan, the man who accepted a pie from a total stranger and knew that it was sent with good intentions. And I also send prayers to the neighbor who could not accept the gift of a pie, for she must have lived a darker life than I can even imagine. I hope that she is able to someday find peace.
Pie a Day Give Away 
Wow! I think being able to accept a gift is indeed a blessing in itself. As I prepare to graduate tomorrow I’m reminded of how many times I had to accept gifts that my pride wanted to push away but knew better than to refuse. I think a year or two earlier and I may have refused them. Being able to accept a gift and be thankful with no signs of guilt is certainly not easy for us. I’m glad you were able to gift someone else that seems quite deserving!
(Should say easy for *all of us.)