Kindlandia: Sno-Isle Rock It! for Kindness

Dearest Edythe,

Sno-Isle Libraries (Snohomish and Island Counties) and the Friends of the Lynnwood Library are doing their part to keep kindness alive and well. A poster, adorned with vibrant, creatively patterned rocks, titled Rock It! greeted me at Mel and Mia’s Unique Pastries in Edmonds. It invited people to come to the Lynnwood Library to paint their own rock for the Kindness Rocks project, a nationwide movement begun in February 2015.

The invitation to join the project read, “People all over the area have carefully hidden painted rocks to spread love and kindness. Stop by and paint your own rock and keep the kindness moving forward. For all ages. Sundays, 2:30–4:30 p.m. July 15–October 21 at Lynnwood Library.”

I realize by the time this posts, the local rock-painting gatherings will end in a few weeks. Nevertheless, the season for Rock It! kindness never ends. There still may be hidden rocks to find, for it is an ongoing project easily done at home or other venues.

Having been the recipient of these hidden gifts of kindness, I know at first hand the feelings of delight and discovery they bring. I found a turquoise painted rock with little flowers tucked away in foliage at Lake Stickney. We lucky recipients are invited to join the Lynnwood Rocks public group on Facebook and to use the hashtag #lynnwoodrocks on social media when posting pictures of kindness rocks we’ve found in order to join in the local community of sharing and receiving kindness via painted rocks!

Edythe, after your Celebration of Life in February, Thom and I took a couple weeks on the Oregon Coast. We returned to the 804 Oregon Coast Trail where you and I walked each year. Nestled in the middle of a large rock at the Smelt Sands Recreation Site was a beautifully painted stone with bright colors and a flower. The kindness of a stranger touched my broken heart and brought comfort. ​

The painted rocks can also be used for special occasions. Author and Artist Freeda Lapos Bapson, chose to gift rock art to say farewell to her dearest friends when she relocated from the Pacific Northwest to the Southwest last year. She created individualized motifs with each person’s name for her leave-taking presents. I placed my rock among my indoor plants and daily it reminds me of her friendship and kindness.

Painted rocks. The gift of time. Beauty and whimsy. A treasure tucked away. The joy of discovery. The Kindness Rocks Project and our local Rock-It! events are one more way to share kindness.