For Mikey and Jennifer - A Global Community Unites

It is one of life's realities that a community's bonds never shine brighter than after a tragedy. As depressing as it may seem, it is also a blessing to know that no matter what, when or where an unbelievably horrible circumstance happens that a support system hundreds, if not thousands, strong is right behind you to help you pick up the pieces and begin moving forward.

I'm sure that many, if not all, of you reading this are aware of the sudden death of Jennifer Perillo's (In Jennie's Kitchen) husband Mikey. Shauna wrote an incredibly touching, heartfelt piece about her dear friend and her husband, which I could never hope to come close to emulating given that I never knew Mikey personally and even my contact with Jennifer was limited to the occasional Tweet. What I do know, however, is that when I heard the news my heart broke for her and her family. I could not begin to fathom the tornado of feelings surrounding the loss of a loved one, even less so the added shock of a sudden departure. I also felt a pull at my heartstrings knowing that Mikey, by all accounts in the prime health of his life, had passed on from a sudden heart attack. My grandfather is, by the grace of Fate, a survivor of two heart attacks and a triple-bypass surgery, amongst other significant health issues, and even as a young child I could feel the anxiety, worry and dread that accompanied each and every day he spent in the hospital ICU. I could never begin to think of what I would do if I so suddenly lost a figure in my life that I loved so dearly as a soulmate - I don't know if I'd be strong enough to pull through.

Jennifer asked that this past Friday that all of those who could "make a peanut butter pie...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" in Mikey's memory. The peanut butter pie (recipe here) was Mikey's favourite, and the blogging community exploded with contributions of peanut butter pies and other desserts from all over the globe, and a pause for remembrance and appreciation for our loved ones was held over Twitter at 5:52PM today. I was not able to make a pie for Mikey, but I made a point of giving my mom and sister each an eight-second hug today (eight seconds is the time it takes for serotonin levels to change and register happiness) and as inane as it may seem I truly realized how much I appreciated having my little cat to share my days with.

I felt I should take the opportunity to link to just a handful of the hundreds of food bloggers who turned out in support of the "Pies for Mikey" campaign - like I said earlier, there are so many that it is truly astounding the force that formed in the face of this devastating occurrence. I wish only the best for Jennifer and her family and though it seems a feeble gesture at this time send my love and thoughts to them.

PB Pie for Mikey and Jennie Perillo
Chocolate-Tahini Tart
A Peanut Butter Pie [For Mikey]
Peanut Butter Banana Cream Pie Parfaits
Creamy Peanut Butter Banana Pie... {For Mikey}
Peanut Butter Pie For Mikey
Peanut Butter Pie for Mikey
Pie for Mikey
Peanut Butter Pie for Mikey and Jennie
Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pie with Biscoff Cookie Crust – for Mikey
A Pie For Mikey
Frozen Cashew Butter Pie Squares (For Mikey)
Peanut Butter Pie for Mikey
Peanut Butter Cream Pie for Mikey
Peanut Butter Pie for Jennifer and Mikey
Creamy Peanut Butter Pie – A Pie For Mikey
Peanut Butter Pie for Mikey and Jennifer Perillo
Creamy Peanut Butter Pie For Mikey
Peanut Butter Cookies. For Mikey and Jennie.
A Pie for Mikey
Video for Jennifer Perillo: Mikey’s Peanut Butter Pie 

You have just read the article entitled For Mikey and Jennifer - A Global Community Unites. Please read the article from Emilija the sweet Estsin About Announcements , Blogging Events , No Recipe more. And you can also bookmark this page with the URL : http://emilija-thesweetestsin.blogspot.com/2011/08/for-mikey-and-jennifer-global-community.html