Pie and monsters.

Shock of shockers, I have a sister.

I miss my Sister.

For her privacy sake, I will refrain from using her given name.

Our father was responsible for her name. It is An anglicized Celtic name.

In a direct modern translation, it is “ Fire Queen”.

One of the most cherished memories I have is of Her holding my Baby Girl Serenanfa, Seren had not began to use words yet.

One evening my sister, had made a Blackberry cobbler. She gave Seren a taste. Seren promptly proclaimed “ PIE!” Her first word. For over a year everything good in her eyes, was “ Pie”.

When she wanted a hug, it was”Pie”

uppies, “Pie” , everything wonderful was “Pie”. I will never forget that moment. The huge grin on my daughters face. The smile on my sisters face. I will cherish that into eternity.

Years before that, while visiting with my favorite Aunt, Aunt Johnny. My wife and I were asleep after the long drive from South Florida. My oldest daughter, Brynna, then about Four, had already woken up.

Aunt Johnny was entertaining her and preparing breakfast. Scrambled eggs, bacon, ham, gravy, biscuits. The eggs were fresh. In fact, gathered that morning.

My little girl and aunt Johnny went out to the chicken coop and Brynna learned about eggs, chickens, and, roosters. While helping Aunt Johnny gather eggs, a Rooster crowed.

My daughter was not happy about it. She took off with the egg basket, ran into the house, nearly kicked the bedroom door down, pounced on me and explained, “ There's a monster. You have to kill it.”

It took me a few moments to wake up, understand what she was repeating, then she took my hand and dragged me back to the chicken coop. There she pointed at the dastardly monster strutting around ruffling it's feathers and crowing. “ kill it daddy. Kill the monster” she demanded.

Aunt Johnny was laughing so hard she nearly dropped the eggs she had gathered,up in her apron.

“Kill it daddy. We can eat it for breakfast.”

Aunt Johnny dropped her eggs laughing then Scooped up Brynna and headed for the house. Aunt Johnny announced walking away. “ Well, then it's Fried chicken for dinner you heard her “

I rescued the unbroken eggs.

Breakfast was awesome. Dinner was as well. No, it wasn't the rooster.

For about a year, Fried chicken was known as fried monster in our house.

There's things that are prescious, beyond measure in life.

Moments of perfection.

Those moments are the definition of joy.