Spreading the love

Last summer, my daughter Mae went to sleep-away camp.  While preparing for the adventure and going through the packing list, she decided to bring a wooden bowl and spoon to fulfill the "camp utensils" requirement.  I loved the idea of her taking a piece of home on this adventure--something familiar in an unfamiliar environment.  Apparently, the bowl was a hit among the other campers.  Mae got lots of compliments on her stylish treen from her friends, especially from a very dear friend.  This friend (call her K) made it known that she would love to have a bowl of her own.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago: Mae, spending the weekend with K, decided to give her a bowl.  But rather than grab a new one from the "for sale" stash, Mae chose one from our family shelf.  The bowl she chose had seen use in our house and had the patina to show for it.  It was also defective (cracks in the short grain during drying), which was why it was relegated for home use only.  Yet it was this bowl that Mae wanted to give to her friend.  "It's a good one," she said from experience.

I like to think she chose this bowl because it was loved.  The objects we use every day bear the imprint of use beyond a simple patina.  They represent the good times, the nourishing moments, even the spirit of community that gathered around to enjoy one another.  Now, like a little emissary, this bowl is off to a new home to build new communities. 

A recent text from K to Mae: