Empty Bowls

 Empty Bowl 2010

 Santa Barbara hosts 

"The Empty Bowls"

a fundraising event to support 

the community food bank

~

local artisans and school art programs

donate hand crafted bowls

~

for your donation 

you get to select a hand made bowl

and fill it with

 soups and breads

from some of the best restaurants in town

~

there are drawings and silent auctions

and beautiful art for sale

all proceeds go to feeding the hungry

~

emilda, my dear friend

is treating me to the event this year

~

it is the best kind of gift

a thought-FULL gift

 a gift that is so her

it feeds both my body and soul

it quiets the cynic in me

to experience 

the outpouring of generosity from 

individuals and the community

~

 last year

 I filled my bowl 

with objects infused with meaning

rocks from walks on the beach

feathers from ginnie fowl from my trip to Africa

a painted soap stone heart from Namibia

and a "Hope" stone

the bowl reminds me

it was once empty and is now full.

It reminds me no one should go hungry

and to contribute 

to filling someones bowl

in some way

every day.