The date of January 6 is known by several names. According to a few sources, it is called Little Christmas and it is celebrated by people in various countries in Europe. It is also known as the Feast of the Epiphany – the day that the wise men came to visit the baby Jesus and thus revealed to the world that he was the messiah. Still others refer to this day as Twelfth Night, a celebration which brings an end to the twelve days of Christmas.
For our family this day has greater significance – it is the day that we lost my Mom. It’s been 23 years since she passed and yet the memory of that day is still so vivid. Our world changed in an instant. When I look back it is like looking at two pictures – before and after, or rather, with her and without her.
Anniversaries such as this one are hard to forget, and harder still to talk about. It’s almost like a gentle dance of words with my sister and my Dad… because I think we feel the need to say we remember and yet we don’t really want to dwell in sadness.
It was very important for me to find a way to honor my Mom with today’s pie and when my friend Laurel suggested the Lithia Springs School I thought she had the perfect solution. I called to ask for permission to bring a pie to the school and found out that at this time that there are currently 27 students attending classes. That would mean that I would need 4 pies! Instead, I decided to prepare a large pan of Apple Blueberry Cobbler so that I would have enough to feed everyone.
Laurel came with me to deliver the “just out of the oven” cobbler and on the way we hurried in to Shop ‘n Kart for 3 half gallons of vanilla ice cream to make this dessert even more memorable. We were greeted at the school by several of the students who offered to help us carry in the goodies. One of the teachers had plates and utensils at the ready and she proceeded to serve the cobbler and ice cream to the students (and some of the staff too). It was really heartwarming to see them all enjoying the treat.
One of the staff who had arrived a bit late asked who had brought the goodies and why. I don’t think she really was expecting an explanation but I told her that this was my way of remembering my Mom. It only seems fair that since she always had a way of making things special for me, that I should bring something special to share with these young people who might not experience that very often.
A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. ~Tenneva Jordan
Pie a Day Give Away 
What a wonderful way to honor your mom!
Thanks Donna… it really felt good too.
Having worked there years ago, I know that the youth appreciate the kindness of strangers. What you did and do offers them a glimpse of the good in the world, some of them having only seen so much bad. Thank you….
Mary, that was my hope… that they would see someone do something nice for them… for no reason at all. Just because.
I was touched by your entry. My mom is 94 and I still have her. I just don’t know what i will do when she passes. Your blog is absolutely wonderful, and such a creative idea about the pies. I just discovered it.
Carol,
Thank you for your comment. How wonderful that your Mom is still with you! It sure sounds like she is a great lady. Please give her an extra hug for me the next time you see her.
best,
Karen