Gifts from the heart

In a small corner of my favorite garden space is a collection of tiny treasures. These aren’t the kind of treasures that are evident. In fact, this space looks entirely commonplace, even ordinary. To me, the connection to the space stems from the memories that are contained there. Treasures that live in my memory, quiet and secret little moments in time that are tucked away to be recalled during quiet reflection.

In the center sits a small round chunk of cement assembled into a stepping-stone. In the center is pressed a tiny cherubic handprint belonging to my youngest child when he was a Cub Scout. Shiny little trinkets are pressed into the blob of crude cement, a marble here, a piece of glass there. Scattered among the stepping-stone are a number of assorted rocks of various shapes, sizes, textures and colors. All gifts from a child, now long grown. You see, children don’t have the monetary means to buy things for the people they love. Instead they find joy in little found items in nature and carefully choose them as gifts to be shared. My collection includes a smooth piece of tumbled sea glass collected from the shores of our favorite Oregon Coastline, a deep cinder red rock shaped like a heart from a long ago bike ride with my nephews and nieces, a speckled black and white jelly bean shaped rock from a hike, and so many others.

What makes these gifts so precious is the kindness with which they were given. Great time and consideration was taken to choose just the right one. And once the right one was chosen, a precious little hand reached out to me and gave all they had to give.

Tomorrow is my birthday. Birthdays are always bittersweet for me. A time to reflect on my accomplishments, to ponder the impact of my life, and to assess whether I’m doing enough for those I love. This year I’ve also been thinking a lot about gratitude. What can I do to exhibit the kind of selfless giving demonstrated for me so lovingly? How can my gifts be more heartfelt and authentic? What little things can I do for others to help bring a little simple joy to their lives?

Rocks Rock!

This upcycled project makes use of common everyday rocks. Use your imagination and take the shape, texture and size of the rock into consideration. Here’s how you make them:

This upcycled project makes use of common everyday rocks. Use your imagination and take the shape, texture and size of the rock into consideration. Here’s how you make them:

Step 1) Collect rocks.

Step 2) Clean rocks and let them dry.

Step 3) Paint acrylic paint over the surface of the rock.

Step 4) Add colorful designs, words, images, whatever you desire to the rock surface.

Step 5) Use a permanent marker to draw details on the rocks.

Step 6) Once the marker is dry, paint the rocks with a protective coat of spray acrylic like Krylon. Let dry.

Step 7) Start your very own rock collection in a flower bed or a flower pot.

NOTE: This article was first published on September 1, 2014 on upcycld.com.