For Nancy, her son Henry was everything. She couldn’t imagine life without him. It had been 23 years since the tragic accident that claimed Henry’s life, and every year on the anniversary, she honored his memory by bringing his favorite pie to his grave. But this year, something unexpected was about to happen.
For over two decades, Nancy, now 61, never missed a year. She would bake Henry’s favorite pie—an apple and cinnamon delight—and take it to his resting place. The scent of apples and cinnamon always brought back memories of her little boy eagerly running into the kitchen, his eyes lighting up at the sight of the fresh pie. It had been a tradition they both loved, a way for her to stay connected to him even after he was gone.
Since the accident that took Henry’s life at 17, this ritual became Nancy’s way of coping with her grief. The pain of losing him never truly left her, but baking the pie gave her a small sense of comfort, a way to feel close to her son.
On this particular day, as she carefully carried the freshly baked pie to the cemetery, the weight of the dish seemed heavier than usual. She placed the pie on Henry’s grave, gently running her fingers over the smooth stone that had become so familiar. “I miss you every day,” she whispered softly. “I baked your favorite pie again… I wish we could share it just one more time.”
With a heavy heart, she kissed her fingers and touched the gravestone, saying her quiet goodbye before leaving, as she always did. But the next day, when Nancy returned to clean up, she noticed something shocking—the pie was gone. Instead of the untouched or spoiled pie she usually found, the plate was empty. And on it was a folded piece of paper.
With trembling hands, Nancy opened the note. The handwriting was shaky, and it simply said, “Thank you.”
Anger surged through her. Who would take Henry’s pie? It was a private ritual, a way to honor her son, and now a stranger had intruded on that sacred moment. Determined to find out who had taken the pie, Nancy decided to take matters into her own hands.
The next day, she baked another pie and placed it on the grave, but this time, she didn’t leave. She hid behind a nearby tree, watching and waiting. After an hour, she saw a small figure approach. It wasn’t the thoughtless thief she imagined—it was a young boy, no older than 9, with ragged clothes and dirt on his face.
Nancy’s heart softened as she watched the boy kneel by the grave. He pulled out a scrap of paper and carefully wrote, “Thank you,” just like before. He wasn’t stealing out of disrespect; he was simply hungry.
As the boy reached for the pie, Nancy stepped out from her hiding place. Startled, the boy dropped the pie and backed away in fear. “I’m sorry,” he cried, “I was just so hungry. Please don’t be mad.”
Nancy’s heart broke for him. She knelt beside him and spoke gently, “It’s okay, sweetheart. I’m not mad. What’s your name?”
“Jimmy,” he whispered, ashamed.
“Well, Jimmy,” Nancy said with a soft smile, “you don’t have to steal. If you’re hungry, all you had to do was ask.”
Tears welled in Jimmy’s eyes as he explained how little he had to eat and how much the pie had meant to him. Nancy couldn’t help but think of Henry—how he had never known hunger, how he had always had more than enough. Jimmy, on the other hand, looked like he had been living with hunger for far too long.
“Come with me,” she said, standing up and offering her hand. “I’ll bake you a fresh pie, just for you.”
Jimmy hesitated, unsure if he could trust her, but eventually took her hand. Nancy led him back to her home, where she prepared a pie, just as she had done so many times for Henry. As the warm scent of apples and cinnamon filled the kitchen, Jimmy watched in awe. When the pie was ready, she placed it in front of him.
“This one’s all for you,” she said with a smile.
Jimmy took a bite, his eyes lighting up with joy. “This is the best pie I’ve ever had,” he said, his voice full of gratitude.
As she watched him eat, Nancy felt something she hadn’t felt in years—a deep sense of peace. For so long, she had baked pies for a son who could no longer enjoy them, but now, she was sharing that love with a boy who truly needed it. In some small way, it felt like Henry had brought Jimmy into her life, a reminder that love and kindness should always be passed on.
By the time Jimmy finished the last slice, Nancy’s heart was full. She realized that this unexpected connection was perhaps Henry’s way of showing her that even in her grief, she could still bring comfort to others. Maybe this was her new purpose—honoring Henry by helping those in need.
As Jimmy looked up with a smile, Nancy felt warmth and gratitude in her heart. She had found a new way to carry Henry’s memory forward, and it filled her soul with peace.
Tell us what you think about this story, and share it with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.
Unauthorized Release of Private Funeral Photo Involving Matthew Perry
Co-stars of Matthew Perry’s Friends were spotted comforting one another on Friday outside the church where the 54-year-old was buried.
Foursome Jennifer Aniston, 54; Lisa Kudrow, 60; Courteney Cox, 59; and David Schwimmer, 57, came at Forest Lawn cemetery in Los Angeles ready to say their final farewell to Perry. They were all dressed somberly in black suits.
After the short, one-hour ceremony, Matt LeBlanc, 56, joined them outside the church, where they were photographed chatting with other well-wishers.
Along with his father John Perry, 82, his weeping mother Suzanne Morrison, 84, and stepfather Keith, a writer for Dateline, were present at the private celebration. One person carrying the coffin was Keith Morrison.
“Ms. Aniston was among the first to arrive,” an onlooker remarked. She remained solitary. This is a well-known meeting.
Across from Warner Bros Studios, where ten seasons of Friends were filmed, lies a cemetery that is the final resting place of a galaxy of Hollywood stars, including Bette Davis, Carrie Fisher, Buster Keaton, Michael Hutchence of INXS, Anne Heche, and Stan Laurel.
At Matthew Perry’s funeral on Friday, Jennifer Aniston (left), Courteney Cox (second left), David Schwimmer (middle), Lisa Kudrow (second right), and Matt LeBlanc (far right) are pictured.
On Friday at Forest Lawn Church of the Hills in Los Angeles, Jennifer Aniston (far back), Courteney Cox and David Schwimmer (middle), and Lisa Kudrow (front) are pictured.
On Friday, the three Friends ladies and David Schwimmer are seen leaving the church to go to Matthew Perry’s funeral.
Keith Morrison, Perry’s stepfather, who has gray hair, carried the coffin.
I’ll be available to you: Stars from Friends attend Matthew Perry’s burial
Following his discovery of death on Saturday, tributes to Friends star Matthew Perry have been pouring in.
Family members spotted departing Matthew Perry’s burial in mourning
The song “Don’t Give Up” by Peter Gabriel, which goes, “No fight left or so it seems, I am a man whose dreams have all deserted, I’ve changed my face, I’ve changed my name, But no one wants you when you lose,” was performed as the service came to an end.
“There was not a dry eye in there,” remarked a bystander. Both laughter and tears were abundant. Speaking only were close friends and relatives.
Perry was buried in a black wooden coffin in a private ceremony for his family exclusively following the service.
Following the service, large groups of mourners dressed in black gathered outside the church.
A few were observed giving each other comfort and an embrace. In order to protect their eyes from the intense Californian sun, many wore dark shades.
Other celebrities buried in gorgeous parkland include INXS guitarist Michael Hutchinson, Buster Keaton, Brittany Murphy, Paul Walker, and actress Anne Heche, who passed away unexpectedly in a vehicle accident last year.
On Friday, the hearse with Matthew Perry’s remains was seen pulling up to the grave.
On Friday, a photo shows Perry’s casket being brought into the church.
Matthew Perry’s family and friends may be seen arriving for the funeral on Friday.
Keith Morrison, the 54-year-old’s stepson, was one of the seven persons who carried the coffin.
There is a lengthy lineup of cars parked outside the Los Angeles cemetery.
A long line of cars are seen parked outside the cemetery in Los Angeles
Matthew Perry’s family and friends may be seen arriving for the funeral on Friday.
Leave a Reply