My father would have been 99 years old on August 21, 2020. One of my brothers asked my dad why he saved everything (checks, letters, bills, etc.) and my dad replied because he wanted us to know what he was doing.
My father passed away on the Sunday Morning right before everything got shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic. We weren’t able to have a celebration of his life and my heart greaved that we couldn’t all get together to honor him.
When we had cleaned out his home to get it ready to sell it, I had found a tiny oblong smooth black rock that he had taken home (I assume he found it on one of his many rafting adventures). It was no bigger than the cap to a ballpoint pen. I had taken it home and placed it on the base of my computer and would touch it and think about him.
As August 2020 approached, our family realized that we wouldn’t be able to get together to have a dinner to celebrate his life. To help me find closure, it was important for me to do something to honor him. It pained me to have him leave this world without an acknowledgment of what he meant to me. After picking up the small stone one day I came up with a plan. To honor him I would paint 99 rocks and hide them. I would start on August 21st which would have been his 99th birthday. I created this blog so I could tell my stories and memories about him. I feel it is my way of helping to remember him and to honor his memory.
We found this rock on top of a gas pump of all things in Texas, Slaton. This rock is very beautiful and I love your story, it reminds how much I will treasure and love my dad too!
I found the most beautiful painted pink rock with a beautiful yellow flower painted on it right out side my office building on Jackie Rd in Rio Rancho. I needed this little beautiful pick me up more than you know. It warms my heart and brings me great joy to know that there is still LOTS of good in this world. Thank you for reminding us all to stop and enjoy the world around us. I’m sure your father is looking down on you with such great joy and love so proud to have an amazing child as you. Many blessing to you and your family and thank you for blessing me with this beautiful painted rock.
Thank you for your kind words and I am so glad the rock brought you joy. It made me happy to know you liked my rock. God bless you~
Hi, do not publish this. Is fyi. I dictated my post and did not see a couple of spelling/grammar errors. Would you correct them for me? Thanks,
Lisa W
As you wish and done. 🙂
I’m in the process of moving from Fort Lauderdale, FL back to Albuquerque after a 39-year absence (far too long, I never intended to leave). This is my 4th annual house-hunting visit and “get my head together”* trip. I plan on coming back this winter to ski, so I just came out of Sports Systems after buying the first set of cross-country skis I’ve ever used that were not rentals. I appreciated that the young man who waited on me patiently spent two hours attending to my needs. So I went back inside to give him $20 for his time. On the way out, I looked down and saw a painted rock!! I did not notice it before weighted down carrying my purchases. But every time I have done a good deed for somebody a good deed has come back to me. That’s why I think yeard I found the painted rock. It’s meaningful to me in a couple of ways, Firstly I joined New Mexico painted rock group last year on my annual visit, and then I got so into it that I formed my own painted rock group for my neighborhood in Fort Lauderdale. The most meaningful rock was one I found last year in a picnic area by the Rio Grande with a butterfly on it. I repainted it and put a special message to my late son on it and I took it up to Santuario de Chimayo and left it by the door of the chapel for him. I lost my almost 36-year-old son in January 2019. *That’s also why I come out here to get my head together. It really gladdened my heart to read about why you this painted rock, and about your father. I have painted several rocks in honor of my son, some of which I left on my son’s grave, the one in Chimayo, and another I have painted with the sky and clouds and a poem about losing a son on it which I plan to send to his daughters, my granddaughters. Thank you for honoring your father in such a nice way. I’m sure he was a wonderful dad.
Thank you Lisa for your comment. I am really enjoying hearing from the folks that find my rocks. I am so sorry for the loss of your son. I am glad that you are able to find a way to honor your son. It helps the heart. God Bless you and Welcome Back to NM! 🙂
Hey I found one of your beautiful rocks two nights ago at Trader Joe’s!…I love it and I love what you are doing for your father…. I will proudly display and cherish it forever… trying to figure out how to post a pic… hopefully I can do that soon….
Hey!… I found one of your beautiful painted rocks last night at Trader Joe’s!…love what you are doing and I love the rock!… it will be proudly displayed and cherished….trying to figure out how to post a pic… hopefully I can do that soon….
Hello! I am so glad you found it and visited the blog. Thank you for taking the time to visit. I hope you enjoy the rock. 🙂
I got off work and saw this beautiful rock by my vehicle, first thought was that someone had painted and dropped it, I picked it up, what a beautiful job someone did on this rock, it was so touching. I went to the website and read the story, how touching, and what a wonderful man. His family was so lucky to have him for a father, grandfather, brother, etc. He will be greatly missed. I will say prayers for him and his family always. Thank you for leaving me a rock and sharing your story.
I’m glad you liked the rock. I miss you my friend~ Ellie
My dearest friend you are amazing and always so thoughtful. Who would know thay you would be blessed with new life on your dads birthday. GOD is so good. Congratulations grandma! God knows and sees all. He sees your precious heart. God bless you and all your family. I love you
Thank you dear Sharon. Yes, God was so good to me by having baby Joshua born on my dad’s birthday. Hope you and your family are well. 🙂
We were delighted to find one of your sweet painted rocks outside of the Santa Fe Community Foundation. We thought it was very cute and whimsical, but after reading your story, what a beautiful and touching tribute to your father. Know that you brought a smile to our faces, and brightened our day!
I walked out to pick up the mail and I found this precious gift of a painted rock. It touched my heart beyond belief because my family recently lost two loved ones. I found this address on the rock, read the story and felt compelled to say Thank You for this generous and thoughtful gift. This is a beautiful way to honor your father. I will keep him and you in my prayers. My condolences for your loss. Your fathers raised his family well.
Blessings 🙏🏻
Hello! I found one of your stones it is very beautiful the moment I found it I got this overwhelming sense of joy. It’s awesome what your doing for your father.
Thank you Felicia for your post. You made me cry when you said you felt joy when you saw the painted stone. Thank you so much and God bless.