Food bloggers are a tight knit group of people. We’re passionate and social animals. Sooner or later we all touch each other’s lives in one way or another, even if only briefly. Some touch a few people here and there, others inspire large numbers of people on a daily basis. We are coworkers, friends and family. Always connected on some level or other.
It was with great sadness that this family was greeted with the news that Jennifer Perillo lost her husband suddenly. We, as a community reeled with her. We asked what we could do to help. We cried a little bit with her, both for the loss of her husband and for her daughters loss of a father far too early in life.
Her answer to us was this:
…For those asking what they can do to help my healing process, make a peanut butter pie this Friday and share it with someone you love. Then hug them like there’s no tomorrow because today is the only guarantee we can count on.
Of course, I’m horribly late. Friday I was busy at a company picnic with my family. Yesterday was spent school shopping and stocking back to school meals. Once home I set to it, but just making the thing was a battle, with nothing going according to plan.I managed to get the pie done at around 9:00 pm, but was too tired to move on from there. I fell out on the sofa shortly after I popped it in the fridge.
I’m a little bit glad that I am late though. Had I whipped out the pie on time I would not have had the opportunity before writing this to see the outpouring of love from the family of food bloggers out there. I have witnessed again the reason that I love what I do and have kept at it for over four years.
To all of you, regardless of whether you made a pie for Mikey, I say thank you. You are a fantastic group of people and the way you responded to this is what defines you.
And to Jennifer, there really isn’t much I can say. By now I’m sure it’s all sounding kind of flat. I know that it did for me when my loved ones moved on. Instead I offer both a prayer and a greeting from my Cherokee ancestors. Both seem fitting at the moment:
Cherokee Prayer Blessing
May the Warm Winds of Heaven blow softly upon your house. May the Great Spirit bless all who enter there. May your Mocassins make happy tracks in many snows, and may the rainbow always touch your shoulder.
Cherokee Traveler’s Greeting
I will draw thorns from your feet. We will walk the White Path of Life together. Like a brother of my own blood, I will love you. I will wipe tears from your eyes. When you are sad, I will put your aching heart to rest.
Oh, and the pie is awesome, too. Seriously. Criminally awesome. You really need to make some for yourselves. I changed the recipe slightly, but not enough to really matter, so see the recipe on Jennifer’s blog.
Hug the people you love today, and live every single day of your life like it’s a good day to die.
I’ve seen this pie all over the blogosphere, and I plan to make one myself. I, too, am late, but I think the spirit is what’s important. I love yours, so I think I’ll be making this!
Oh, Do! It’s an amazing pie.
Beautiful post, Jerry…well said about the community.
And, of course, you rocked it with the pie!
The pie was the easy part! The post was tough. But the community inspires us to be there and go beyond just words. I appreciate that.
That prayer is beautiful. My boys and I made our pie on Friday and I spent most of the weekend thinking about Jennie and her family. Praying peace and comfort for all of them.
It’s got to be a very hard thing to go through for all of them. I’ve lost both my mother and my father, so I know how the girls feel. I’m just glad that I got to be a part of something this moving and I hope that in some way it brings the family a bit of peace to know how many people were touched by their story.
My prayers go out to Jennifer and her family. I lost my husband suddenly 8 years ago so I understand the pain and turmoil they are going through. The Cherokee prayers gave me the chills – they are beautiful.
I’ve seen a lot of loss in my life. Sometimes words can heal a little. I hope that my little contribution helped in some way.
Your post was beautiful and the prayer really moving. Though I know it does nothing to bring back Mikey, the fact that the community rallied around Jennifer is nothing short of amazing. I think it’s wonderful that everyone made the pie or wrote about it (late or not!).
And your addition of Kahlua sound fantastic.
The Kahlua adds a whole new dimension!
I have seen so many posts for Mikey, so inspiring. Oh and the pie looks delicious :)
It was good enough that we had to take it to the wife’s office, lest we eat it all and gain 100 pounds!
Can I please get the recipe for this pie
Thanks