Last week I found myself crying onto my laptop, tears dripping into the keyboard and making the track pad fail. I had never met Jennifer Perillo, her two girls, or her husband Mikey. Yet when Mikey suddenly passed away last week, I found myself deeply sad for his loss. I simply cannot imagine the heartbreak. I thought of my uncle who broke his neck six weeks ago and the incredible luck that meant he could walk away with his life and continue caring for his three little sons.
The story touched so many hearts and the response from the food community has been truly fantastic. Jennifer posted that "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." Hundreds and hundreds of people made a pie.
Today I finally made the pie and shared some of it with my mum (I was in London over the weekend so I couldn't make the pie on Friday). It got pretty messy, but it felt right to show you it this way: chaotic. It's sweet and comforting: a hug made of chocolate, peanut butter and cream. I piped interlocking circles on top in chocolate. The circles represent the strength and unity of each individual, but most of all they represent the strength of community, love and friendship.
This pie is for Mikey, for Jennifer and her girls, for everyone I love, and particularly for everyone I love that I cannot hold in my arms today and tell them how much I care.
So here it is: #APieforMikey.
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The recipe is here, on Jennifer's post.
The White on Rice Couple produced this beautiful video of making the pie. It brings fresh tears to my eyes every time.
UPDATE: Hop over to the new Bloggers without Borders to find out how you can donate to a fund to help Jennie.
Yes, it certainly was a moving video by diane and todd. glad you managed to find the time to take part in this massive outpouring by the blogging community. hugs :)
ReplyDeleteTodd and Diane's video is a tear jerker for me every time I watch it. Heart your interlocking circles and their meaning. I'll bake one as soon as I get home too.
ReplyDeleteAll I want to say is it's not fair, I don't know the both of them, but he wasn't even sick? From the pictures and video, he seem be moderately active.. what a HA??? At his age... I don't understand the details so it's hard to know what was going on physically, I am curious because it just does not make sense! I could, although, just as sad, can understand it the person never exercised or always ate badly.. blah blah... I don't get it. So horribly sad!
ReplyDeleteEmma, such a beautiful post, pie and tribute from you. I love the piped chocolate circles, very thoughtful. I hadnt seen the video by Todd and Diane until I came here, but it's so touching. Thanks for sharing. Ren x
ReplyDeleteSo sad. Hadn't seen the video before. Just hope Jennie is alright. Sending Hugs to all the loved ones out there
ReplyDeleteSukaina - I wanted to do something as an individual anyway but to be part of such a huge group is incredible too. Hope you & family are all ok :)
ReplyDeletepickyin - Such a beautiful video, they're so talented. Glad you like the circles idea too.
Elle Marie - I don't know a huge amount of detail other than he had an out of the blue heart attack. It's so hard to comprehend. Life can seem so unbelievably unfair sometimes.
Fabulicious Food - I'm glad you liked it Ren and that I could point the video out to you - it's such a touching tribute.
Tres Delicious - it all definitely reminds you to live for today and keep loved ones close. Glad I could introduce you to the video, it deserves to be seen by as many people as possible.
How horribly sad for this family. I think it's wonderful that so many people are rallying around them, it certainly puts things into perspective.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful, it's brought tears to my eyes too! The pie looks just perfect, messy and gooey as it is, like a big sloppy kiss! x
ReplyDeleteEmma - it is so wonderful to see and to be a part in. I think there's a plan set in place to send them care packages too. It definitely makes you think twice about your priorities.
ReplyDeleteEmiko - there's definitely something good about homemade and messy - it really signals loving and family to me :)