My Rock Garden
On the walkway to my front door, you pass what may look like a rock drain at first glance, but if you look again, you will actually see my rock garden. Some of the rocks in my garden have been with me since I was a little girl and some I acquired when my kids were little but all are beautiful and together hold special memories.
Growing up, my father was in road 
construction. He started the collection that today rests in my rock garden by bringing me cool rocks he would find. I use to keep them in different containers, trading up sizes as my collection grew. At one point they ended up in a pink Barbie Doll case that had a zipper. I carefully moved those rocks with me to college and from apartment to apartment. When my husband and I got married and moved in together, he had a bunch of friends helping and my collection almost got tossed because they didn't understand their value.
construction. He started the collection that today rests in my rock garden by bringing me cool rocks he would find. I use to keep them in different containers, trading up sizes as my collection grew. At one point they ended up in a pink Barbie Doll case that had a zipper. I carefully moved those rocks with me to college and from apartment to apartment. When my husband and I got married and moved in together, he had a bunch of friends helping and my collection almost got tossed because they didn't understand their value.
As our children came along, I would share my rocks with them and tell them stories about the where they came from. From time to time, they would bring me pretty rocks they found as well. My collection grew and grew and we moved it from house to house but it was always in containers.
Finally, when we moved into our current house and my husband had moved them a half dozen times at least, he came up with the great idea of my rock garden. Now everyone who comes down 
our walkway or driveway can see it. Now that my kids are all grown and no longer bring me rocks, there hasn't been any additions in a long, long time. A few weeks ago though, a couple neighbor kids came by selling painted rocks. They had a few unpainted ones that they offered to custom paint for me. I told them about my collection and asked if I could just buy a plain one. "Oh sure!" They were just excited to make a sale. They followed me back out to the front and were so please to see their rock take it's place. (The brownish one in the center.) They ooooh'd and ahhhh'd about several they saw.
our walkway or driveway can see it. Now that my kids are all grown and no longer bring me rocks, there hasn't been any additions in a long, long time. A few weeks ago though, a couple neighbor kids came by selling painted rocks. They had a few unpainted ones that they offered to custom paint for me. I told them about my collection and asked if I could just buy a plain one. "Oh sure!" They were just excited to make a sale. They followed me back out to the front and were so please to see their rock take it's place. (The brownish one in the center.) They ooooh'd and ahhhh'd about several they saw.Few notice my little rock garden other than my kids and my dad, but every now and then......I get to show it off!
The moral of this story is...... well I'm not quite sure. It's just a story, but I guess you could say remember to enjoy the simple things in life.
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I am a REALTOR® in El Dorado Hills with Lyon Real Estate. Though living in El Dorado Hills is my passion, I am happy to help you with your real estate needs throughout the Sacramento Valley. For more information on me or our wonderful area visit my website atwww.DeeDeeRiley.comor email me atdriley@golyon.com.
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By DeeDee Riley 2012 *All Rights Reserved*My Rock Garden
Hi DeeDee - What a special little corner of your world, with wonderful memories. I'll bet it makes you smile when you walk past it.
Very ZEN and FENG SHUI :)
DeeDee, I enjoyed this post about your rock collection and the memories they hold for you. Thanks for sharing with me and for putting a smile on the face of a child. Best wishes always.
DeeDee we too collect rocks and odd prices of wood that we find along our life's travels. Debbie even moved some sticks and rocks with her when she made her 1400 mile move from Alabama to New Mexico. So see you're not alone in your collection....enjoy!
What a neat hobby/tradition! My only concern would be that in leaving them outside, someone might take one/some!
Gretchen
This is a very good post DeeDee. Reading this blog of yours brings back memories of me as a little girl up to the woman I have become now. I'm sure each of those rocks, like any other part of a collection reminds you of special people, places & events. Some people would not understand, of all things, why collect rocks? Right? Well for me, just like you, aside from admiring their beauty, they have different kinds of characteristics, which would remind us of different kinds of people. Well, that's how i look at it. It's the sentimental value that counts most, especially when they're being given by someone whom you consider dear to you. Great photos of your collection DeeDee. Thanks for sharing.
DeeDee,
Women! My wife does the same thing with found objects from beaches, hiking trails, anywhere. Shells, pieces of wood, pieces of colored glass, anything that catches her interest. I finally had to have a custom built cabinet to hold and show all her junk found objects.
Anyway, I really do like your poignant story. It's very touching. I do understand your sentiment. I just hope visitors don't put their cigarettes out in your rock garden before entering your house.
I bet the memories last a lifetime DeeDee.
So if an ActiveRain member wanted to add to your collection one day, that would be okay?
DeeDee, I am guilty of collecting also. Not as extensive ads your collection. But when I travel I can't help myself. I find myself looking down just waiting for the one that pops out. My wife thinks I'm a little silly when I park the truck and walk a creek bank but she is guilty of collecting sea shells. Thanks for the story and keep collecting!
It sure does, Susan! Thanks for stopping by to read about !
Thank you Laura! I'll take that as a compliment!
Thanks Richard! Glad you liked it! I stop for lemonade stands too. I always want to encourage little entrepreneurs!
John,
It's a timeless collection and the thing I've had the longest in my life! Have a great weekend!
Hi Gretchen,
There was one of my son's friends who had one of my obsideon rocks he had picked up there. He was throwing on the street in front of our house trying to get smaller pieces that he could make arrowheads out of. My son promptly told him, "That is my mom's rock garden. Put it back."
Happy Friday!
Thank youuuu, Katerina. I'm glad you liked it!
Thanks Lloyd! No cigarette butts yet, thank goodness!:)
Have a great weekend!!!
Absolutely, Tom! Enjoy your weekend!!
Thanks Keith! It's a timeless collection, inexpensive, and.... low maintenance. What would be better?!
Have a great weekend!
It wasn't just a story to me. It was a love story and it brought tears to my eyes. ♥
DeeDee what a great story and I could relate because I love collecting rocks. It is always nice to have something tangible which connects to different periods in our lives.
Oh my gosh, DeeDee - I've been collecting rocks that were of an interesting color or shape since I was a child (I came by it honestly, my mum would always bring a rock or two home from her travels around the world) - but I realized when moving into our first home that my hubby didn't quite appreciate the "value" of these stones as much as I. Luckily, he's grown to understand my love for them (after almost 30 years of marriage!)...although it might be that he really just appreciates that they are very inexpensive souvenirs... :-) Great to see you highlight your beautiful collection!
DeeDee Your approach to lifelong memories in the form of little rocks is both unique and beautiful. The thing that makes it special is that you see and enjoy it every time you walk along that path
Properly placed rocks can sure make a statement!
Have a wonderful Super Bowl Sunday
your friend in Charlottesville