The Pies that Bind Us

I first discovered the sanctity of pie after I moved to Traverse City, Michigan in 1994 and began doing work in the UP. (That’s the Upper Peninsula for those of you who don’t know Michigan.) I loved the ritual of afternoon pie and coffee. Time to slow down, take a break, be with others and reflect on the day. A well needed pause.

Pie is fairly popular lately with TV shows like Pushing Daisies and movies like Waitress. I expect the resurgence of interest in pie is a longing for the “old days” when people had time to bake and sit around and talk over a piece of pie. In our neighborhood in Oakland, California, a bakery moved in and was selling fresh pies for $25 each. It is so popular they are opening a second location.

For my husband’s family, pie is sacred. I have heard the stories about his uncle who knows every piece of good pie between Kearney, Nebraska and Vail, Colorado. This is more than just knowing the pie stops, he has taste-tested every place. I have witnessed Barnaby’s mother running out to the garden and then surprising us minutes later with fresh rhubarb pie. The power of pie has been known to get this family into the car instantly upon mention of the word. Pie breaks gender barriers as the men and women of this family are equally good at making and eating pie.

Last night, after our 14½ hour drive from Michigan to Minnesota, we were greeted with dinner and two kinds of pie --- an apple and a banana cream, both of which were made by Barnaby’s uncle. Tonight Barnaby’s mom and I make a lemon meringue together. And tomorrow we will be having another kind of pie for Barnaby’s birthday. See pie charts attached below for pies of years past. I told you, this family takes pie seriously.

So what’s the point? When I was walking this morning, it occurred to me that pie covers the 5 Languages of Love:

• Words of affirmation: Thank you for the pie, I love it! It is so good. You are wonderful. ☺
• Quality time: Time spent making the pie together; or enjoying the pie together; or talking and sharing while one person is making the pie (or calling your mother for the recipe!)
• Receiving Gifts: The gift of a freshly baked pie. Need I say more?
• Acts of Service: Making someone you love a pie. Taking the time and the thought to make someone a pie goes a long way.
• Physical Touch: Making a pie together, hugging and kissing your child or your sweetie as you make a pie and share the spatula. The hug you receive when you give the gift of pie to a friend or neighbor.

Pie transcends all bounds. Pie is finding sacred in the every day. Pie is enjoying the fruits of Mother Nature. Pie is…