Apple Blueberry Pie
A few years ago, I took a class called “Emotional Intelligence” at Southern Oregon University. One week our assignment was to notice things that were happening around us and this is what I noticed, albeit a bit too late. I had taken my son, Coco, shopping with me and we had pushed our cart to the checkout line but there was a person ahead of us with a full cart and so I knew we had a bit of a wait. As I stood there my mind was racing and I realized I’d forgotten a few things. I told my son to stay in line and hurried off to get the last few items. It was only when I was back and it was nearly my turn to checkout when I “noticed” the woman in front of me.
She was a young mother, her baby was crying, and there was some kind of trouble. Finally she became upset, said “Forget it”, picked up the baby, and left the store, leaving her groceries behind. I asked my son, “What just happened?” and he told me that the young mother had not had enough money to pay her bill. She wasn’t short much money, and she’d been dealing with a screaming baby, and maybe she was just a bit frustrated. And if I had been “present” I might have been able to help her. Instead, I was scurrying around being efficient. The memory of that moment still haunts me.
Tonight I wanted to bring a pie to someone who needed a lift… and I had someone in mind, but I was unable to connect with them. So, as I have done before, I put the pie in the car with me and drove to the store (Shop n’ Kart) hoping to run into someone I could give a pie to. As I walked through the store I tried to be aware of who might need help. However, even though I searched, I did not find anyone and so I approached the register to pay for my groceries. Just then I felt a tap on my shoulder. There behind me was Adam, our new Associate Pastor.
About six months ago I gave Adam and his wife Sarah a pie when they came to First Presbyterian. Since he knew about my project, I asked him if he knew of anyone who might appreciate a pie. He considered a few possible recipients and then mentioned a neighbor of his, a single parent, that was going through a challenging time. Perfect! I asked him if he would please deliver the pie to his neighbor with my good wishes and he agreed. Tonight he sent me an email saying that the parent looked so tired when they answered the door but was thrilled to receive the pie… and the children thought it was delicious. Adam finished his email this way, ” …glad I ran into you, I think it was the perfect family to be the recipient of one of your pies.” I think so too. Thank you Adam for your help in finding the perfect home for my pie.
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
Pie a Day Give Away 