Visiting grandparents in Nebraska during 1950s brought special memories. One was the opportunity to help with the laundry using grandmother’s ringer washing machine. I fed items through the ringer as she watched to make sure I wasn’t pulled in and rung out. Then there was her offer to bake whatever kind of pie I wanted for my birthday –  as long it was cherry.

In Minot twenty years later, I became acquainted with Ladd and Maxine Schwegman, both members of Vincent Methodist church. Their physical size, mannerisms and personalities bore a strong resemblance to those of my grandparents. In addition, Maxine invariably baked wonderful pies for church gatherings where meals would be served. Her pumpkin was everyone’s favorite and always brought lively bidding to the annual pie auction fund-raiser. I always hoped to take one home.

Another two decades later, I was invited to a dental meeting at the Lake Metigoshe cabin belonging to dentist Dr. Dick Nutter and his wife, Bobbie. Once business was out of the way, Bobbie brought out a variety of pies to choose from. I picked blueberry. Although the contents weren’t identical to what Grandma’s cherries provided 40 years earlier or Maxine’s legendary pumpkin variety, both crust and filling were wonderfully delicious. I couldn’t stop thinking about Mrs. Nutter’s blueberry pie for weeks that followed. It became essential to create an appropriate note to thank her for sharing something so delectable.

Dear Bobbie,

If I should die before I wake

I hope Heaven’s where I’d go.

Though at times I question if I’d deserve it

And would instead be sent below.

If I should pass those pearly gates

My Lord I’d hope to meet.

They’d make the introductions

And then I’d say, “Let’s eat!”

We’d have pizza, ice cream, cookies

And lots of sweet things too.

I’d eat until I’d stuffed myself

And my face turned shares of blue.

With all those things inside me

You’d think that I would cry

When they’d ask if I had room for

One more piece of berry pie.

It’d be so good I’d want some more

This time a slice twice as large.

I’d insist to have the recipe

and find out who’s in charge.

While searching in the kitchen

We’d look both low and high

For the person most responsible

For the homemade berry pie.

One thing’s for sure – our Lord’s not fool

He doesn’t mess around.

When He chooses someone for a job

They must be the best in town.

There’s only one who fills the bill

(the Lord knows whose pie’s best).

Bobbie Nutter would be His choice.

To that I can attest!