Easy Coconut Banana Cream Pie

"Forgiveness is the key to action and freedom." - Hannah Arendt

Over the past few years, I've come to know several people in my life very well. Some of those people have proven themselves to be great and true friends that have been there for me through the corny and hilarious times as well as the "I'm so bitchy right now" times (enter a crazy laugh by those that understand the quote). I've had many great times with those select few, and if I were to get into scrap booking, I know most of those scrapbooks would either have to be kept a secret or be heavily censored when shown to others. But, as life has also come to show, I've also gotten to know many negative qualities of many people that have led me to shut them out of my life. Many things have happened, from betrayal, to insults, to falsehood, to trash talking, to a whole series of "memories" (for lack of a better word) that will never be forgotten. I know the saying goes "Forgive and forget" and it's easier said than done. Forgiving is something that requires coming down from your high-horse and being the better man, which can be attainable and doable. Forgetting, on the other hand, is something that I just don't do. If you were to forget, how could you learn from it? Shouldn't it be like the stuff you learn in school that should be learned and applied to future situations? Obviously, forgetting doesn't necessarily mean I dwell on it all the time. It just means that I learned my lesson and if my "spidey senses" (yet again, another joke for those that get it) tell me that I'm getting myself into a similar situation, I'll know how to act appropriately. Now, I know that many of those that have been cut from my life don't read this, but in order to keep up with the forgiveness theme, I'd like to let you guys know that I forgive you. It's been a hard decision to make, but I really do forgive you, well, most of you. There's still that one person out there that doesn't deserve my forgiveness, but that's a topic I won't really mention. And now... for some pie!

Easy Coconut Banana Cream Pie
adapted from: Nestlé Best-Loved Recipes

makes 8 servings

Ingredients:
1 prebaked 9-inch deep-dish pie shell
14 oz Nestlé La Lechera Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 cup cold water
3.4 oz vanilla instant pudding and pie filling mix
1 cup flaked coconut
8 oz frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided
2 medium bananas, sliced, dipped in lemon juice

Directions:
1) Combine sweetened condensed milk and water in large bowl. Add pudding mix and coconut; mix well. Fold in 1 1/2 cups whipped topping.
2) Arrange single layer of bananas on bottom of pie crust. Pour filling into crust. Top with remaining whipped topping. Refrigerate for 4 hours or until very set.