The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie

by Rachel Linden

I stared at her, ingesting her words slowly. “I don’t know how to do that,” I admitted. “If I let go, everything will fall to pieces. I can’t let that happen.” “Honey, it sounds like whatever you’re holding on to is probably already broken,” she said kindly, “and you’re just holding the pieces together and praying for some glue.” She paused, considering. “Life doesn’t work that way. If you cling so tight to something that’s already broken, to a life and dream that can never come true, you don’t have space in your life for anything else, for the good and real plan Bs.” She looked me in the eye and said firmly, “Sometimes, Lolly, you just have to let go.”

“I’m scared to let things go,” I confessed. “What if everything falls apart and I can’t make anything good come from the broken pieces?” A moment of silence. “You have to have faith, Lolly. It takes faith and courage to let things fall apart, not knowing what will happen after you do.

There is more for you, my girl. More life and love and good things, maybe babies if you want them.” She chuckled. “This is not the end for you,” she said simply. “There are good things ahead. Trust me. I’m your mother. I know this is true.”

Between us lay a hundred unspoken things, affirmation and desire and tantalizing possibilities for the future. I was dizzy with it, intoxicated. I clasped the necklace close to my heart and nodded, so elated and giddy I thought my heart might burst with joy. Could this truly be just the beginning?

And through all the ups and downs, the tears and bittersweet lessons, my lemon of a life had gradually been transformed into this—the most deliciously sweet, perfectly imperfect second chance I could ever imagine.