When I was little, we had a driveway of rock. Almost every morning, for several years, I would pick up a new rock for my collection. I had a box (I believe it was the box from an "Annie" mug) in the top drawer of my night stand. Each rock was kept in this box which soon became more and more full with time.Most weekends I would get a piece or two of the newspaper lay them on the counter. I would gather two bowls, a towel, and my clear nail polish. I would wash, rinse, dry, and paint the rocks with the polish. Sometimes I would have my little book of rock information next to me so I could try and figure out what the rocks were made of. It was fascinating to me and I loved my collection.
As I got older, I outgrew the routine of cleaning and painting the rocks. I stopped picking them up from the driveway and I think most of them made it back there eventually. The interest in rocks never completely died. I still look and wonder. Often when we go on a vacation or trip we will come home with a rock or two and my children have also been known to collect a rock here and there.
The house we are renting has a paved driveway. However, some of the landscaping is rock. Rock very similar to my driveway as a child. All different muted colors that when wet reveal lines of green and speckles of blue or pink. Tonight I examined some of the rocks a little more carefully and decided I should pick one. One to keep. I don't think our landlord will mind. I washed it, rinsed it, and dried it off. I don't have any nail polish yet, but this one might get a coating eventually. It can be my healing house rock. A little reminder.
These are not my rocks...
but this one can be.
A sweet reminder of childhood. I enjoyed reading your slice about your childhood wonder and interest in rocks.
ReplyDeleteI love this! I, too, had a rock collection as a child, and my dad bought me a rock polisher. Rocks seem to be a big part of my life and memories as well, so I think I will slice about this at some point during the challenge. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of my little-girl daughter who loved to bring me wilted dandelion bouquets and wild snapdragons with love in her eyes and joy in her heart. Thanks for the post and bringing back some lovely memories.
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow life long rock collector I appreciate Your reminder of The intrinsic value of a rock. They have a little memories attached to them and I don't think you can have enough Reminders of where you've been and what you've experienced. Thank you for such a sweet blog
ReplyDeleteLovely! I had a categorized chart with accession data for my rock collection as a child. (Nerd!) Love how you've connected with your younger self.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing how something can lead us from the present to the past and remind us of all sorts of things we had tucked away? I'm sure your landlord won't mind.
ReplyDeleteI'm STILL collecting rocks. I've built a rock wall with found rocks. I love river stone as it calms me and inspires me. I am now collecting rocks with a single line around them-called "wishing rocks". Hobbies from the past can last a lifetime!! Thanks for this post!
ReplyDeleteI love that you think of your rental as your healing house. The ending was perfect...these are not my rocks but this one can be. So true...these things might not be yours, but slowly there are new pieces that you are adding to your story.
ReplyDeleteWe are definite rock people. We cleaned out our overgrown, overmulched flower bed this weekend, and we were finding rocks from 2003. I'm not kidding..
ReplyDelete.. I was pulling them out, brushing off the very rich soil surrounding crevices and turning to my 22-year-old, saying, "Hey!! This was from that time when you were about.."
Stories that came up!
Thanks for reminding me!
It's wonderful how we remember and reflect. So enjoyed reading about what you did as a child and the moment you had it now with rocks.
ReplyDeleteOops!
ReplyDelete"and the moment you how now with the rocks."
What a great small moment sparked by such a little detail of an object.
ReplyDeleteI have the same fascination with rocks. Whenever we take a trip I have to pick one up to bring home as a memento of where we once were. I got this from my grandmother who taught me to appreciate the beauty of nature.
ReplyDelete"Healing house rock" says it all.
ReplyDelete