KINDNESS ROCKS

Alex and I were on a walk through the neighborhood when we came across a kindness rock tucked in the split of a tree. “Oh my gosh! Would you look at that!” I pointed to the bright turquoise painted rock with a heart painted on top of it saying “Love”.

“I’ve found kindness rocks before but this is a great spot to put one in.” I looked over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching us before stepping closer to the tree. “I have to admit I’d really like to take this one home.” I looked over at Alex. “What do you think?”

Alex looked confused. “What would you do with it?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “I don’t know. Just keep it.”

“Where?”

I shook my head. “I don’t know. Maybe I’d leave it on the kitchen counter.” I had to smile as an idea popped into my head. “This way every time one of us walked into the kitchen we’d see it and it would remind us of how loved we are.”

“You need a rock to tell you that?” Alex’s eyebrows were raised as he asked the question.

“Come on!” I cried. “I like it!”

“Hey if you like it that much then go ahead…” I started to move toward the tree when Alex finished his sentence. “But wouldn’t more people be able to see it if you just left it right there?”

I sighed. I hated when he was the voice of reason. “I suppose you’re right.” But then I had another thought. “Wait!” I pointed my finger at him. “There was a girl at school who made these all the time!” I was shaking my finger at him now wanting him to understand my thoughts. “I remember she said you could keep them…” I raised my eyebrows as I gave him a knowing look. “Or, you’re suppose to move them to another spot for someone else to find.”

Alex shrugged his shoulders. “Whatever you want to do.”

“Hey, I didn’t make up the kindness rock rules.” I smiled as I went over and took it down from the tree. Looking at it up close and in my hands I could now feel just how smooth it was. I was still smiling as I tucked it in my pocket. “There you go.” I said before giving the outside of my pocket a little tap. “Now it’s time to find you a new home.”

We continued on our walk as I scanned the neighborhood looking for another spot.

“Having a hard time finding a place to put it?” Alex asked as we got closer to our house.

“I really am.” I said as I patted my pocket again. “That split tree was a really the perfect spot.” I sighed again as I looked at Alex. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to find a better spot than that.”

Alex looked over at me and started to laugh. “You’re keeping it aren’t you?”

I nodded my head slowly not looking at him. “It seems I’ll have to.”

Alex was still laughing. “Why do you go to so much trouble inventing a whole story when you knew you were going to keep it right from the start?”

I shrugged my shoulders “I don’t know why.” I said as I looked back at him and smiled. “But somehow it makes me feel better.”