"She got the way to move me, Cherry Baby!"

My sweet friend, Sue, generously gives me some of the sour cherries from her tree, every year.

I know it is not easy for Sue to reach the cherries on the high branches of her tree and this act of service is one that is truly selfless.
Sue's husband passed away on Sunday morning and Sue was on my mind, all day.

After church, Aaron and I were talking about her and Jim, and Aaron thought about our own cherry tree and walked around the fence to check on the cherries.  They were ripe!

15 mintues later, we had 4 cups of perfect cherries.

Aaron suggested that I go over to Sue's to visit, then offer to pick her cherries for her and bake her a pie. 
After the kids went to bed, I made a card and some cookies, then picked up Kasey and a couple ladders and we headed over to Sue's to hopefully do a little service and cheer her up.

   She got home right when we were unloading the ladders in the driveway.
The first thing she said when she got out of the car was a tearful,

"I'm so sorry to tell you this, girls, but the cherry tree died!"

Oh. man. Did I feel like a jerk. 

I'd thought I was going to visit my friend and offer some comfort, company, and bring a little distraction and normal-ness to her day, by doing something we do together every year.

Instead, poor Sue was left feeling sad about one more loss in her life, that day.

Regardless, we still had a really nice visit, and I am so glad we were there right when she got home from dinner so she didn't come home to an empty house.  I'm headed back over there today to plant her geraniums and help her get ready for the arrival of her children who will be coming in from all over for the funeral in the next few days. 

Last night, I realized I still have 4 cups of my own cherries in the fridge.

So to honor Sue and Jim, (and also Neil Diamond, because I just can't eat cherry pie without a little "Cherry Cherry") I made mini cherry pies.
 

 +

this recipe and 5 ramekins

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midnight mini cherry pies at the Willy's.

Or Pie Babies.
a Che-rry Bay-bay! (said in Neil Diamond's voice)

When you eat it, you automatically start singing, "Baby loves me, yes yes she does!"

bap-bap! ba-da-bap-bap-ba-dap! 

Sue's cherry tree may have died, but luckily, her friends now have cherries to spare and we will be bringing her pie every year to let her know how just loved and appreciated she is by everyone who knows her. She is humble, cheerful, wonderful, and definitely sweet as pie.