Among many things, Nancy makes pies. And they are very good. Growing up, I didn’t like homemade pies nearly as much as I liked store-bought chocolate cream pie with graham cracker crust. Most of the issue was the crust.

And then I discovered Nancy’s simple, well-made pie crust and I’m happy to eat pie. As the foundation for apple pie or four-fruit pie, or Shaker lemon pie, or peach-blueberry, I’m very grateful. And then she discovered sugar cream pie, and I was even more happy.

For her, it’s something she does and enjoys. For the rest of us, it’s a gift.

When we were in Germany, she made an apple pie and a sugar cream. With different versions of ingredients and differences in ovens and not having her recipes with her, she persevered.

And we all enjoyed “coffee and cake”, with two pies filling in for cake.

She could have said, “I need to have all the same things as I have at home.” What she said, with her pies, was, “I love you.”

We have the things we do that other people look at as blessings. Raking leaves for grieving neighbors. Speaking words of encouragement. Making pies or cookies or mac and cheese. Learning something for the sake of someone else. Laughing with friends.

You know what comes to mind when I suggest doing what you can to be helpful.

Go ahead. Do that. And enjoy your own bite of pie.