A couple of months ago, my dad mentioned he missed seeing those colorful, decorated rocks that began popping up in random places during the pandemic.
Fueled, I suppose, by more folks getting outside to avoid crowds and potential contagion, a trend started where people would leave these little tokens on their treks through parks, on trails, in the woods, in front of houses. They were usually brightly hued and, often, would have short, inspirational phrases written on them.
If you found one, it was a small, unexpected pick-me-up in a time when pick-me-ups were sorely needed.
Shortly after my father pointed out how he hadn’t seen any for awhile and wished the practice would return, my sister-in-law — as tireless as she is talented — shipped him a quite heavy box.
Inside were a dozen painstakingly painted, one-of-a-kind, beautifully decorated stones.
In the weeks since, he’s received two more deliveries, each containing more of her handiwork.
My dad is thrilled with these gifts and loves giving them out to friends and loved ones — putting a great deal of thought into pairing the stone to the person. He figures they can keep it for themselves, or pop it in a special place for someone else to discover.
On a visit a to my parents’ house several weeks back, he handed me my own to take home. A fitting present — a rock from my rock.
The background is painted to resemble a night sky. A full moon hangs in the air. A songbird sits on a branch, looking up. At the bottom is written, “Dream big.”
When I got back to my place, I put it next to my coffee pot (the one step in my routine that I will never skip), so I could touch it every morning and, hopefully, take those words to heart.
Just lately, I’ve been giving them a lot of extra consideration.
As everyone is aware, we’ve seen some shake-ups recently here at the paper. A new company has stepped in, with a new vision for how things will continue.
Until now, I wasn’t sure whether I would be part of those plans.
Turns out, I will be — so it looks like you’ll keep hearing from me for the time being.
But during the uncertainty, I kept pondering on that little bird on that branch on that stone. That big old moon hanging over her head, her big dreams up there with it.
To be frank, I’m thinking about her still, as a huge learning curve lies in my future.
Many of my coworkers won’t be on this leg of the journey with me — people I’ve collaborated with, talked to, toiled alongside for years. And that makes me very sad.
But I believe that they, too, will be dreaming big — that they’ll take flight from this little branch, toward something large and bright above.
And I hope, for all of us as we move forward, that we recognize the unique rocks in our lives — and that the path ahead is full of small, unexpected pick-me-ups, in a time when pick-me-ups may be sorely needed.
Katie McDowell is the managing editor and lifestyles columnist for The Dominion Post. Email kmcdowell@dominionpost.com.
