This afternoon was pretty busy around my house… I was preparing dinner for a friend, putting together a cake for Rotary, and getting ready to make a pie. As I was doing this, I was chatting with my Dad on the phone. During our conversation, I noticed that a call was coming in. When I tried to get to the caller, I realized I had taken too long to answer, but since I had their number, I called back right away.
When the phone rang, Jeanie from Ashland Home Health and Hospice answered. I gave her my name and she asked if I had a family member in hospice. When I told her that a call had come in from that number, she told me that she would check with the rest of the staff. A moment later, she said no one she could find had made the call; perhaps it was an error.
That’s when I told her that I had tried to find the hospice staff months ago and I had been told by someone (I can’t remember who) that there was no hospice building. What that person probably meant is that there is no special building just for hospice patients, but Jeanie confirmed that there were a great number of hospice personnel that worked from that location.
Then Jeanie told me that she knew of me and my husband from when we opened Standing Stone, and that she thought I knew her sister Teresa. Yes, I did know Teresa. She was a talented artist who died far too young. Then I shared something that Teresa had once said. She had been a baker earlier in her life but had given it up because it was such a “temporal art.” I think I looked up temporal and realized Teresa was right… baked goods are only here for a moment and then they are gone leaving nothing behind. They aren’t art at all!
But then Jeanie said, “Wait a minute. I’ve seen your pie blog and all of those photos of pies… that is certainly art!” She told me how she’d read my stories and looked through many of my posts – even the one where the pie hit the sidewalk (see Splat!) and thought that they were beautiful. That was music to my ears. When I asked Jeanie if I could bring a pie to the hospice center, she asked if it could be there in an hour. I laughed. That wasn’t possible but I did arrange to deliver it before closing. Before saying goodbye I thanked Jeanie for sharing with me and said, “I’m glad that there was a mistaken call”, to which she replied, “There really aren’t any mistakes.”
And so tonight, I finally got to brought a pie to Ashland Home Health and Hospice. It will be consumed at their meeting tomorrow morning. I extend my gratitude to the men and women there who work to make our life transitions comfortable, peaceful and even beautiful. We are very lucky to have them.
” I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge – myth is more potent than history – dreams are more powerful than facts – hopes always triumphs over experience – laughter is the cure for grief – love is stronger than death.” Robert Fulghum
Pie a Day Give Away 
It’s been my privilege to work with the wonderful people of hospice through the deaths of two people I loved very deeply—first my mother, and then my husband, Bill. Each member of their team was an exceptional individual. Mother and Bill appreciated their kindness and range of skills—-and so do I! Thank you, Karen, for taking them one of your luscious pies! I hope they have a great staff meeting in the morning!
Hello! I am an employee at the Medford Food Co-Op. After selling Emile a large bag of apples, he proceeded to tell me about your gratitude project. I absolutely love it! I shared with both my sisters and my mom. What a lovely, inspiring, and mouth-watering blog. Your kindness and caring are surely making days and lives brighter. Thank you Karen!
Molly
Genie is one of those special people who make southern Oregon a special place to live. Thank you for giving her and the hospice staff a well-deserved treat.