I Got A Rock

Ever since "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" was released in 1966, haven't we all felt at least a bit of sympathy for this poor, bullied young man? If it wasn't embarrassing enough to have Lucy pull the football away when he tried to kick it, and making way too many holes in his ghost costume, at every stop the Peanuts gang made for "tricks or treats", instead of candy or something sweet, Charlie Brown got a rock. Can't this kid catch a break???

Interesting though, that trick-or-treaters in 2017 are actually excited about rocks! Raise your hand if you are guilty of handing out painted rocks this year!

I was first introduced to this whole "rock" thing several months ago, as I noticed my son and daughter-in-law posting Facebook pictures of rocks they had painted, and then hid around the Idaho town they were living in. The finders of these rocks would then post pictures and re-hide them. I had no idea at that time how widespread this phenomenon was!  The idea behind this is actually quite sincere and thoughtful - hiding a bit of sunshine that might brighten someone's day when they find it. After all, those among us who are always looking down are the ones who need a lift, and as the ones always looking down, are the ones most likely to find a hidden rock!

I was with my son when he hid a rock outside a business, and we were still shopping when a customer came in stating "I love that rock you have out there by the door!" The cashier obviously had no idea what he was talking about, but that rock with "Joy" painted on it made at least one person's day, and it's purpose was well served.

Kids, of course, love this whole rock painting/rock finding thing. Adults as well, and just in the few short months I've known about it, I've seen posts from some who are more than addicted. The "801 Rocks" Facebook group in Utah has over 26,000 members, and that is a lot of people either hiding rocks, finding rocks, or both!

I personally have found 6 rocks, and wasn't even looking! I found the first one at the Idaho State Capital in September.

My wife and I have hidden a few around town, including ones that we found. We have never heard whether any of them were located, but we hope that they brightened someone's day just as much as the ones we found brightened ours! Keep your eyes open, and you just might be joining Charlie Brown in exclaiming, with much more enthusiasm, "I Got A Rock!"