Lemon Moraine Pie: The Last Wish of a Dying Man

The other day at work I conversed with a man. We spoke about food since he was waiting while I prepared the food samples. He excitedly explained how his mom made the best lemon moraine pie. He and his father loved it when his mom made the pie and often asked her to prepare it. Apparently it was so good that the man’s father asked for his wife to make the pie while he was on his deathbed.Upon his request, the man’s mom rushed home to make the pie. She tried to prepare it as quickly as possible because she knew that her husband had little time to live. She baked the pie quickly but with care. She then rushed back over to the hospital, parked the car and dashed through the hallways to the hospital room to give her husband his dying wish.  However, he never got to eat the pie... He died before she could get it to him.

The man said that until this day, his mom still regrets not being able to get the pie to her husband in time; she has not forgiven herself. Her husband had been asking her to make pie for months, but she never felt like it, and she never did. When she finally did make it however, it was too late.

Lesson learned:

This story really hit me emotionally because it demonstrates how life is short and unpredictable, which is why we should never take for granted or skip the chance to love, to show love and to serve our loved ones. Don’t miss the opportunity to tell someone you love them, don’t miss the opportunity to perform an act of kindness, don’t miss the chance to spend time with those you love, and don’t take for granted the time your loved ones have here on Earth. That one moment where you refrained from showing your love may just be your last chance. Don’t do away with simple acts of kindness. Don’t miss the opportunity to do even the smallest, most simple actions, because these actions may mean the world to someone who loves you.

Yes, it may often be inconvenient to spend time doing kind things for those we love, but this inconvenience is wherein love lays. When we direct our thoughts and attention towards the happiness of someone else, when we direct our efforts towards the happiness of someone else, and most importantly, when we put forth our time towards the happiness of someone else, it is a true expression of love; it is love. Love is many things: humility, understanding,  respect, caring, passion, compassion, support, friendship, partnership and faith. But love is also sacrifice.

Sacrifice is not negative in the name of true, sincere love, particularly when the sacrifice is equally shared. To give of yourself to another and he/she to you is the most freeing, transcending and uplifting opportunity we have here on this Earth today. So please, don’t miss the chance to express your love to your loved ones because you never know if this moment will be your last opportunity to do so.  

And remember, YOU ARE ALIVE TO THRIVE!!