Rocks
Dad wore the diamonds from Mother…He was her ROCK
“True friends are like diamonds, beautiful and rare. False friends are like autumn leaves found everywhere.” - My Mother, Irene Virginia Frost (Thompson)
We were only three when Mother had us pick our tree. Her’s was our willow tree. It was a hedge of protection in our backyard in the red brick house in town. She took me there often when I was little.
It was under the tree we sat on that brisk fall day. We were looking for rocks. She and Dad bought us our first rock polisher, and we went mining for our future diamonds. She shuffled her dainty, long fingers across the fall leaves, teaching me about the facts of life. We brushed away those fall leaves, and sure enough, there they were, little tiny rocks in the rough.
She tenderly would tell me that when I ever get around too many leaves, to sit still and brush away those leaves, and you will find your rocks. She said that you need to take a lot of time with your rocks and place them in a shelter, like our polisher. This safe space, lined with rubber, will tumble out your worries and polish them back to be shiny and new again.
It was like magic after those long days and nights when the tumbler was done. We would open up the little lid, and out came the diamonds — beautiful and rare.
It’s fall in Staples, MN. Time to spend time with the diamonds of my life. Tumbling around, sorting out all those things I can’t fix, and letting my true friends help me strive to be better.
What Tree did I pick? I placed the Linden Boardwalk tree in “Little Italy”. The leaves are shaped like hearts. Surrounding myself with the love of all the rare people in my life who have polished my heart with time.
Who are your Rocks in your life? Who has helped make you better?
Oh, and do you have a favorite tree? Your story matters. Tell it. Or send me a letter, I love to hear from you!
My favorite Bookstore, the Willow