Making pies always seems to bring me clarity. I’ve done it often since Grandma taught me as a teen; apple, blackberry, pumpkin, mincemeat, and today, a raspberry pie and a kiwi-apple pie. 

You never know how a pie is going to turn out until it is finished. Following the recipe to the letter can only get you so far. Could be you got the crust perfect, but the filling was spiced too much. Or the filling was just so, and the crust would have been except you worked it just a touch too long. Or, the darn thing was too juicy and now it looks… wonky. Still tasty, though.

Other times, you panic when you look in the oven, remembering some ingredient you forgot… And the pie turns out exceptionally tasty regardless. It turns out to be the Best Pie you’ve ever made.

The dough feels good under my hands, the rolling pin, a comfort. With the soft morning light streaming into my kitchen, I remember all the pies I made with Grandma looking over my shoulder. I remember all the pies I made for friends, for feasts, for celebrations and comfort food. I remember moments spent with loved ones, relationships that lasted and those that didn’t, and all the decisions therein.

You never know how life is going to turn out until it is finished. No matter what you do, you never know.

We’re all just baking in the kitchen, doing the best with the ingredients we have.

May it turn out to be tasty. :-)