Everyone has strong memories, those which are emblazoned in our brain, never to be forgotten. There are those of us that have such strong memories, they carry an important position in our lives for all time. There are those that have memories that changed their life to such an extent, that the telling of those important memories to others results in life-enhancing moments. I have had this experience, and though I have related this story to many people, it always amazes me that it touches them in some unique way. Because of this, I have decided to write about this very personal, yet profound, memory
Back in the late sixties when I was around 5 years old, I was lucky to have Uncle Jack and Aunt Ruth in my life. Though I spent very little time with them, I only have fond memories of our time together. Uncle Jack was a big man (at least when I was 5), with a very imposing nature, complete with a shock of neatly trimmed grey hair and eyeglasses that he constantly took on and off, depending on the situation or his mood. Then there was sweet Aunt Ruth. I remember her as always running from one task to another with a smile and a laugh, pleasing everyone in her path. Nothing seemed to bother Ruth, for she was in her element of running a household with lots of love. For all of Ruth’s sweetness, Jack was the opposite on the surface. He was a bit gruff, I do believe I heard him growl once, but a sweetheart underneath, which could be seen when he smiled. When he smiled, it was always genuine and beautiful. Seeing the softer side of Uncle Jack was rare, and I was privy to that side of him on one very special day.
I found myself in the warmest part of Uncle Jack and Aunt Ruth’s home; the kitchen. I was sitting at the small kitchen table with Jack, after eating lunch, while Aunt Ruth busied herself with baking pies and goodness knows what else. I remember looking at Uncle Jack from across the table and being very sincere in asking him: “Uncle Jack, who is God?” I have no recollection of where this question came from, but I do remember looking at him expectantly, waiting for an answer. As I was waiting, Uncle Jack proceeded to take off his glasses and then rub his forehead multiple times. We sat in silence as he formulated an answer to the age-old question. Finally, he bellowed (nicely, in his own way) “Ruth, get me a pie!” My Aunt Ruth skipped along the kitchen picking the perfect pie for her “Jackie” and finally placed a pie in front of him on the table between us. Uncle Jack looked at the pie for a while, put his glasses back on and demanded: “Ruth, get me a knife!” At this second request, Ruth rummaged around for the best knife for her Jackie and presented it on the table next to the pie. She looked from me to him, her head snapping back and forth in anticipation, eventually walking away while wringing her hands in her apron.
My Uncle Jack slowly took the knife and held it above the pie, as if contemplating where his first cut would go. Abruptly he started cutting the pie into sections, a bunch of neat little triangles that ended up in a heap of fruity goodness in the middle where all the cuts came together. When he finished cutting, he put the knife down and looked at me with a very satisfied look on his face. He then took his glasses off, twitching them between his forefinger and thumb, and put his elbows down on the table around the newly cut pie. He looked at me and pointed and said: “Do you see this circle in the middle of the pie?” I looked and nodded yes. He looked at me in acknowledgment and continued “This here in the middle is God. See all the slices that point to the middle? I nodded my head once again. “Those slices are all the different religions (he named off quite a few) and they all end up in the same place: The Greater Good. That is God.” This is a memory that grows with me through the years and has had the most impact on my overall spiritual belief system than anything in my 50+ years to date
Memories, which are experiences that are remembered in different levels of clarity, is an important part of our life’s toolbox. Which memories affect us more? Which ones will propel us towards a positive or negative course? Another mystery is why so-called “mundane” memories sometimes resonate far more than “milestone” memories. I believe it is because we don’t know the full impact of that experience/memory until we rediscover its importance within ourselves and share it with others
A very unbeknownst Uncle Jack ultimately shaped my future beliefs during a conversation at the kitchen table when I was 5. Let that sink in for a minute. Now take another minute and think about the most obscure memory you have, that you will never forget, which has changed your life forever. Now you’re either sitting there shaking your head with a big smile on your face saying “Oh My God……” or, you are sitting there with a tear ready to roll or rolling down your cheek. Either way, this memory is important to your life and the learning of your life lessons. Don’t hold on to just the memory, but let its lesson grow with you. This is a memory that will continue to guide and teach you as you grow older. It is fluid and will be used for many situations in your life. You are fortunate to have such a memory, use it wisely
Jack’s Pie is one of the few concrete childhood memories that I have and I truly feel blessed that it took me such a long way. The platform that Jack’s Pie built within me gave me the courage to go my own way as far as religion/spirituality is concerned. I have always tried to reach for the Greater Good, and because of that belief, I forged my own path. I allowed myself total freedom in my thought process and digested what connected with me and I connected with that which touched my soul. I have my own mind with my own nourished platform of The Ultimate Good and I run with it. I have my Uncle Jack to thank for this very profound part of my nature. Without Jack’s Pie, I believe I would not be so open and respectful of, not only all religions but different beliefs and belief systems altogether. In the end, WE ARE ONE and no matter which slice we choose to be, we are all pointed to the middle of the pie.
PS: If you haven’t guessed, the picture on this post is of Jack & Ruth. 🙂