Chilean Miners and Chicken Pie

Wednesday October 13th was the day the whole world became one family. At least for a little while. 33 Chilean miners and their rescue team were brought one by one from 2,000 feet below ground back to the real world. They were shuttled to the earth's surface in a barely 13 foot tall, shoulder width capsule that was called the Phoenix - a name which David IV pointed out symbolizes rising from doom. Family, friends, co-workers, rescuers were there in person. Through television, the rest of the world was there too. Literally the rest of the world because there were news crews from everywhere including the US, Europe, Iran, Japan, Russia, North Korea. The Pope delivered Hope in Spanish, President Obama said the rescue had inspired the world. The Chilean President Sebastian Pinera personally welcomed every single person from the Phoenix with a hug and a smile.

Everywhere last week everyone shared in the joy of the rescue. Daddy talked about how it could change the world because anyone watching the rescue could see that with all the differences that people have we have alot of similarities too. And for that one day people were focusing on the similarities. It was on the faces of the families and friends while they waited for the Phoenix and the faces of everybody with each arrival. The human emotions were there - fear, grief, hope, joy, relief, gratitude, love. The faces told it all. And, as Daddy pointed out, it didn't change when you saw one rescue, because the next one was just as emotional.

I remember a conversation with Daddy years ago when he said he believed that everybody had something good to offer. Daddy really meant everybody - every human being on earth. Mama believes this too. We learned it as little children in a song in Sunbeams - red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight.

Daddy grinned and said sometimes you have to look really hard to find the good, but if you look hard enough you can find it. It can be hard to see the good in all humans - in our own backyard or in other countries - but last week Chile made it easy.

As Jay posted on Facebook, it was 'a testament to teamwork, patience and faith'.

Teamwork, patience and faith. Viva Chile. Viva la difference.

So what does this have to do with chicken pie? For one thing chicken pie is one of the best comfort foods in the whole world. Mama found a recipe years ago called Chicken Pie to Die For. I remember the day she showed it to me and she kind of laughed and rolled her pretty brown eyes at the recipe's name. To Die For is a phrase that just wouldn't roll easily from Mama's tongue. I never did like the name, but the recipe really is great. It is easy, it is quick, it is delicious.

When the Chilean President hugged the returning miners, he said "Welcome to Life!"

So, in honor of the day the whole world was a family, and in gratitude to Mama and Daddy for teaching us about family and about life, from now on I will think of this recipe as Chicken Pie to LIVE For.

Chicken Pie to Live For

1/4 Cup Butter
1/2 Cup Chopped Onion
3 Tbsp flour
2 Cups Chicken Broth
salt, black pepper and white pepper - we like it peppery
3 Cups bite size shreds or chunks of chicken
Pie Crust

Saute onion in butter until transparent. Sprinkle flour and whisk vigorously while gradually adding broth. Continue to whisk over lower heat for 5 minutes until the gravy thickens.

Add salt, peppers and chicken. Stir together and remove to let cool. If you want a top and bottom crust, layer pie crust into pie plate and add chicken mixture. If not, just top with a crust. Usually, we do just a top crust. Sometimes we make faces or other things to decorate the pie crust. Bake 25 minutes until browned. Makes 4 servings.

Notes: Sometimes I use leftover chicken but mostly I use the bone in chicken breasts that come packaged three to a pack. I don't measure because it usually works out to about 3 cups. Susan taught me to cook chicken all day in a crockpot when I am busy. Just put it in the crockpot to cook, then remove, discard bones and shred with two forks. If you didn't plan ahead early enough for the crockpot, just put it in a pot of boiling water for 20 minutes or so. Sis Davis always cooked chicken with celery and onion for flavor so I usually do this too. The broth is always better if it comes from bone in chicken. There's just something about the bones that make the broth tastier.